Trammell Crow Company Selected as Master Developer for 5.5-Acre City Springs Expansion in Sandy Springs

The Sandy Springs City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to advance plans for the next phase of City Springs, selecting Trammell Crow Company (TCC) as master developer for approximately 5.5 acres in downtown Sandy Springs, Georgia. TCC will lead the project through its residential subsidiary, High Street Residential (HSR), with development support from Third & Urban, DSM Real Estate Partners and Hedgewood Homes, according to the firms' announcement dated Oct. 20, 2026.

The resolution paves the way for rezoning and negotiations surrounding the future sale and redevelopment of the site, which the firms described as being in the heart of Sandy Springs.

City Selects Development Team Following Competitive Process

The city selected TCC after a competitive solicitation process initiated in June 2026. The team's proposal was identified as the strongest fit for the city's vision to build upon the success of the original City Springs development, according to the announcement.

The project is guided by the City Springs Master Plan, adopted in December 2022. Priorities for the site include attracting additional local restaurants and retailers, introducing a boutique hotel, expanding green space and public gathering areas, and incorporating high-quality single-family and multifamily residential options. The redevelopment seeks to extend the placemaking established through the first phase of City Springs, a $230 million development that established the city's civic and entertainment core.

The firms said the project represents an opportunity to further strengthen downtown Sandy Springs as a mixed-use destination where residents and visitors can live, work, dine and gather within a connected, pedestrian-friendly environment.

Executives Comment on Next Phase of City Springs

"City Springs has fundamentally transformed the way our community comes together, creating a downtown that reflects the character and aspirations of Sandy Springs," said Mayor Rusty Paul. "This is an opportunity to build on that foundation, bringing new energy, amenities and connections to the heart of our city."

Scott Kirchhoff, a Principal with Trammell Crow Company in Atlanta, pointed to the site's relationship to HSR's existing project nearby. "A major selling point of our Hillcrest site was its proximity to City Springs and the tremendous placemaking that has been created by the City through that development. Today we're honored to be playing a role in the next chapter of City Springs," Kirchhoff said. "We look forward to building on the foundation that has made City Springs such a success and are grateful to the City of Sandy Springs for its trust in our team."

Pam Sessions, Co-Founder and President of Hedgewood Homes, said: "We're honored to be part of the team bringing the next phase of City Springs to life. It's a wonderful opportunity to bring our signature design to this vibrant, walkable city center, where residents can live steps from everything downtown Sandy Springs has to offer."

Hillcrest Offers Indication of High Street Residential's Local Strategy

HSR is also developing Hillcrest, an 8.1-acre mixed-use project at Mount Vernon Highway and Sandy Springs Circle, across the street from the next phase of City Springs. Hillcrest includes 362 apartments and 30 for-rent townhomes, for a total of 392 rental homes, along with approximately 19,240 square feet of retail. The project also includes a five-story precast parking deck with 646 spaces and is expected to provide more than 100 public spaces for city events and retail.

HSR lists a third-quarter 2025 project start and an estimated third-quarter 2028 completion for Hillcrest. The Hillcrest program is a separate project and does not represent the announced program for the City Springs site.

Next Steps: Rezoning and Sale Negotiations

The city will move forward with pursuing rezoning and advancing negotiations and documentation related to the property's eventual sale and repurposing. Additional design, financial and contractual details will be developed and shared as the project progresses, the firms said. The announcement marks an early-stage milestone in a public-private land disposition rather than a closed transaction.

Market Context

The mix of uses under consideration spans several property types with differing market conditions in Atlanta. Average multifamily capitalization rates in the market were approximately 5.2% in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 6.7% for retail, 7.9% for office and 7.5% for hotels. Multifamily vacancy stood at approximately 6.2% overall, with Class A and B vacancy near 7.2%, while hotel vacancy was roughly 32%. Atlanta's 2026 outlook points to improving office leasing, declining office supply and stronger leasing and renewal activity in industrial real estate, while multifamily operators are prioritizing occupancy over pricing amid continuing supply pressure.

Together, Hillcrest and the next phase of City Springs could add a concentration of new housing and services around the downtown district, though the final scope of the City Springs site has not been set.

More information is available at www.SandySpringsGa.gov/city-springs-master-plan.

Sources

• Trammell Crow Company: https://www.trammellcrow.com/newsroom/sandy-springs-advances-next-phase-downtown-redevelopment-selects-master-developer
• High Street Residential: https://www.highstreetresidential.com/newsroom/sandy-springs-advances-next-phase-downtown-redevelopment-selects-master-developer