Sunbelt Developers

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Ahrenkiel, a longtime leader in Atlanta’s commercial real estate scene. We talk about his time at Tishman Speyer, navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and developing major projects like Two and Three Alliance.

Chris also shares how those experiences shaped his career and his perspective on delivering large-scale office projects in a changing market. Today, he serves as Managing Principal at Cushman & Wakefield, where he continues to play a major role in Atlanta’s commercial real estate landscape. We also discuss Atlanta’s growth and why civic involvement has been a consistent throughline in his career.

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting this series:
✨ Songy Highroads – songyhighroads.com
✨ Corporate Environments – corporateenvironments.com
✨ USA Cabling – usacablingtech.com

If you’re looking for commercial real estate in Atlanta, give me a call — I’d love to connect.

#AtlantaDevelopment #CommercialRealEstate #OfficeDevelopment #AtlantaCRE #DowntownAtlanta 


⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction
1:01 – Early career and path into real estate
5:13 – Sponsor Break (Songy Highroads)
6:17 – First real estate roles and early wins
8:23 – Tishman Speyer and the 2008 financial crisis
10:26 – Navigating the recession and leasing Two Alliance
16:40 – Leasing Two Alliance and developing Three Alliance
19:50 – Sponsor Break (USA Cabling)
20:54 – Three Alliance development, design, and market cycles
40:13 – Sponsor Break (Corporate Environments)
41:17 – Google Tower, civic involvement, and career reflections

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Toro to talk about his career in real estate development, from early projects like Camp Creek Marketplace and Atlantic Station to shaping Midtown Atlanta. We discuss how he approaches creating vibrant, inviting mixed-use spaces and why density, community, and activation are key to success.

We also dive into the upcoming Medley in Johns Creek — a mixed-use development on the former State Farm campus. It will feature apartments, townhomes, office space, a boutique hotel, and retail and restaurants surrounding a central public plaza. Toro shares how he’s curating the mix of restaurants and events to create a true neighborhood hub.

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting this series:
✨ Songy Highroads – songyhighroads.com
✨ Corporate Environments – corporateenvironments.com
✨ USA Cabling – usacablingtech.com

If you’re looking for commercial real estate in Atlanta, give me a call — I’d love to connect.

#AtlantaDevelopment #JohnsCreek #mixedusedevelopment

⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
0:35 – Sponsor Break (Songy Highroads)
1:24 – Early Career & Background
6:34 – Sponsor Break (Corporate Environments)
7:31 – Camp Creek & Atlantic Station
13:50 – Colony Square
16:36 – Sponsor Break (USA Cabling Technologies and Solutions)
17:02 – Midtown & Colony Square Leasing
23:30 – Colony Square Transformation
27:35 – Office Space & Avalon
32:51 – Experience & Urban Energy
38:01 – The Third Place Concept
43:23 – Medley

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

In this episode, I sit down with William Pate, the longtime leader of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and a major force behind Atlanta’s tourism boom. We get into how Atlanta became a top destination for conventions and major events, the impact of the Olympics and Super Bowls, and what the World Cup could mean for the city.

We also talk about the future of downtown — more residential, reimagined office space, and what Atlanta needs to keep momentum going.

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting this series:
✨ Songy Highroads – songyhighroads.com
✨ Corporate Environments – corporateenvironments.com
✨ USA Cabling – usacablingtech.com

If you’re looking for commercial real estate in Atlanta, give me a call — I’d love to connect.

#AtlantaDevelopment #DowntownAtlanta #UrbanGrowth


0:00 – Introduction & early background
0:59 – Sponsor Break (Songy Highroads)
2:00 – Early Atlanta tourism development
8:27 – Sponsor Break (USA Cabling)
9:00 – Career path
15:41 – Sponsor Break (Corporate Environments)
16:44 – Convention & event strategy
27:17 – Downtown Atlanta outlook
36:14 – Tourism & attractions
49:09 – Careers & advice
54:16 – Wrap-up

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

I sat down with Ryan Howard of CP Group to talk about their work on some of Atlanta’s most iconic properties, including The Center (former CNN Center), Bank of America Plaza, and Piedmont Center.

We discuss the challenges of renovating these historic buildings, the plans to bring new life to downtown Atlanta, and how CP Group is balancing the history of these spaces with creating vibrant, modern experiences. From food halls to office suites, this conversation is all about reshaping the city thoughtfully and strategically.

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting this series:
✨ Songy Highroads – songyhighroads.com
✨ USA Cabling – usacablingtech.com
✨ Corporate Environments – corporateenvironments.com

As always, if you’re looking for office space in Atlanta, give me a call — I’d love to help.

#Atlanta #DowntownAtlanta #UrbanDevelopment #RealEstate #CityRevival #CPGroup #HistoricBuildings #TheCenterAtlanta


⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction to the podcast and Ryan Howard
1:06 – Ryan Howard’s background and career
5:28 – Sponsor Break (Songy Highroads)
7:30 – Transition to CP Group
9:42 – Sponsor Break (Corporate Environments)
10:45 – HD Supply Build-to-Suit
15:57 – Sponsor Break (USA Cabling Technologies and Solutions)
19:10 – First project with CP Group
23:28 – Tenant strategies
24:31 – Acquisition of The Center (former CNN Center)
25:33 – Challenges with renovating The Center
29:54 – Plans and renderings for The Center food hall
34:04 – Ted Turner’s former apartment
36:19 – Bank of America Plaza renovations
37:24 – Bank of America Plaza top floor plans
39:28 – Piedmont Center acquisition and plans
45:49 – Other projects CP Group has underway
46:50 – Leasing velocity and market dynamics
49:30 – Atlanta history and the Downtown context
1:01:21 – Past and current tenants of the Omni International Center
1:02:22 – Rivalries in the real estate market
1:04:23 – Outro / Wrap up

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

I sat down with Jon Birdsong, CEO of Atlanta Ventures, to talk about the vision behind South Downtown — one of the city’s biggest redevelopment projects.

We cover the history of the area, what’s happening now with tech companies and new developments, and how ventures like the World Cup, improved transportation, and AI could impact downtown Atlanta’s future. We also talk about why preserving historic buildings and creating a safe, walkable community is so important.

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting this series:
✨ Songy Highroads – songyhighroads.com
✨ USA Cabling – usacablingtech.com
✨ Corporate Environments – corporateenvironments.com

As always, if you’re looking for office space in Atlanta, give me a call — I’d love to help.

linktr.ee/timwright.cre

#Atlanta #SouthDowntown #UrbanDevelopment #RealEstate #DowntownAtlanta #CityRevival #JohnBirdsong

⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro / CNN Center
0:39 – Discussion about CNN’s history and Ted Turner
3:12 – Sponsor Break (USA Cabling Technologies and Solutions)
3:30 – John’s background: growing up in Atlanta
5:16 – Sponsor Break (Songy Highroads)
6:18 – Early career: working on political campaigns
8:30 – Joining the tech scene at Tech Square
12:38 – Working at SalesLoft
13:50 – Sponsor Break (Corporate Environments)
14:53 – SalesLoft backstory and near failure
20:37 – David Cummings buys Newport properties (South Downtown)
22:39 – Career shift to real estate / South Downtown project
23:40 – How the South Downtown deal came together
25:44 – South Downtown vs. other development projects
28:54 – The Center / International Plaza
31:01 – Defining Downtown Atlanta
34:05 – Peachtree Center
35:06 – Sylvan – ADPipe
37:07 – Tech world, remote work, and office culture
39:36 – South Downtown
45:48 – Venture Capital and the current state of the tech scene
51:29 – Politics
53:34 – Updates on 222 Mitchell
58:53 – Liens and Lawsuits Bar
59:54 – History of 82 Peachtree
1:03:59 – South Downtown history
1:12:27 – Candler Hotel / Atlanta history
1:17:34 – BeltLine to Downtown
1:19:36 – Closing Remarks

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

David Allman is the Founder and Chairman of Regent Partners, a prominent Atlanta-based real estate investment and development firm.

With over four decades of experience, David and his team shaped Atlanta’s urban landscape through iconic projects such as the Sovereign tower in Buckhead, the King and Queen buildings within the Concourse complex, and a portfolio valued at over $3 billion.

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

David Songy, co-founder of Songy Highroads has over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate development. David has driven the acquisition and development of over 5 million square feet of office, hotel, and multifamily projects, with investments exceeding $2 billion.

His strategic focus on urban-infill opportunities and innovative approach have made Songy Highroads a market leader in institutional-quality real estate.

Featured in a 2016 Harvard Business School case study for his resilience during the 2008

Great Recession, David's expertise extends beyond business. He's a guest lecturer at Harvard and Georgetown and a passionate advocate for education, homelessness, and human trafficking prevention.

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

Brian McGowan is the President of Centennial Yards Company, a CIM Group affiliate, where he leads the $5 billion redevelopment of Atlanta's historic Gulch-a 50-acre site transforming into a mixed-use district with 8 million square feet of residential, office, retail, entertainment, and hospitality spaces.

Born in the Bronx and raised in New Jersey, he was educated in California, earning a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, and an MA in Politics, Economics, and Business from Claremont Graduate University.

His career spans public and private sectors, including roles as:

•  CEO of Greater Seattle Partners
•  CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc.
•  Principal at Dentons
•  EVP and COO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber
•  President and CEO of Invest Atlanta
•  Deputy Assistant Secretary and COO at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration under President Obama
•  Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Commerce for California under Governor

Schwarzenegger

- Economic Development Agency Administrator for San Bernardino County.

Achievements include leading economic recovery efforts after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, earning the U.S. Coast Guard Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and serving as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution.

McGowan, a father of five sons, emphasizes inclusive urban development and long-term planning in his work.

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

Jim Irwin, an Atlanta native, is the Founder and President of New City, a commercial real estate development firm he started in 2016, overseeing nearly $2 billion in investments nationwide.

He led the transformation of Ponce City Market as Senior Vice President at Jamestown Properties, redeveloping a 2.1 million square foot historic Sears facility into a major mixed-use destination.

Currently, he's spearheading the $550 million Fourth Ward project along Atlanta's BeltLine, featuring offices, a hotel, apartments, and public plazas.

His work includes projects in Nashville and Chattanooga. Previously, he developed Harrison Square in Fort Wayne at age 27 and worked at Green Street Properties.

Irwin holds a BA from Dartmouth, where he played football, and an MBA from Emory University. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre

Jim Overton is a highly accomplished real estate developer based in Atlanta, Georgia, renowned for his contributions to major urban developments over a career spanning more than 50 years.

Overton's professional journey began as President of Atlanta-based Hardin Construction Company, where he honed his expertise in large-scale projects before joining Cousins Properties in 1988.

At Cousins Properties, he served as Senior Vice President of Development for 14 years, working under founder Tom Cousins and leading teams on signature projects that shaped city skylines.

His notable developments include:

•  Bank of America Plaza (Atlanta)
•  The Pinnacle (Atlanta)
•  Promenade Tower (Atlanta)
•  Gateway Village (Charlotte)
•  Wildwood Office Park (Atlanta)
•  Chick-fil-A Corporate Headquarters
•  Cumberland Mall (Atlanta)
•  Georgia World Congress Center (Atlanta)

By 2002, Overton had managed the development of 17 million square feet of office space, 2 million square feet of convention and conference centers, 10,000 hotel rooms across 18 properties, 6 million square feet of mixed-use projects, and 7 million square feet of retail space including seven regional malls-culminating in a career total exceeding 25 million square feet valued at over $10 billion.

More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre