Tom Cousins, architect of Atlanta’s skyline and spirit, dies at 93
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, left, shares a laugh with philanthropist Tom Cousins before the first round of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, the final event of the FedExCup Playoffs, at East Lake Golf Club on September 24, 2015 in Atlanta, G
ATLANTA - Thomas "Tom" Cousins, a transformative figure in Atlanta's real estate landscape and civic life, has passed away at the age of 93, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Cousins played a leading role in shaping the city’s skyline, spearheading the development of several landmark buildings and projects across metro Atlanta. He was also a generous philanthropist and a former owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
How it began
Beginning his career in the late 1950s selling modest $11,000 homes alongside his father, Cousins rose to become one of the most influential business leaders in the Southeast. He helped bring professional basketball and hockey teams to Atlanta, donated the land that became the Georgia World Congress Center, and oversaw a real estate portfolio that by 2025 spanned more than 21 million square feet from Atlanta to Phoenix.
Among his most notable achievements was the development of Bank of America Plaza on Peachtree Street. The red granite skyscraper, standing 1,123 feet tall, was once the tallest building in the U.S. outside of New York and Chicago.
East Lake development
Cousins was also deeply committed to community redevelopment. In the early 1990s, he became involved with East Lake Meadows, a troubled public housing complex nicknamed "Little Vietnam" due to its high rates of violent crime. His interest began when he learned the historic East Lake Golf Club, where Bobby Jones once played, was up for auction. Cousins helped transform the surrounding neighborhood into a national model for mixed-income housing and community revitalization.
Politics
In politics, Cousins was a behind-the-scenes force, offering both financial backing and strategic advice to leaders at the local and state levels. He was a key supporter of former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, co-chairing her first campaign in 2001.
Philanthropy
Through his foundation, Cousins donated millions to institutions such as the University of Georgia, Auburn, Emory, and Georgia State universities, as well as to arts and cultural organizations including the High Museum of Art and Oakland Cemetery. He also contributed to the preservation of civil rights history, joining other prominent donors to raise $32 million to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal papers in Atlanta.
Cousins is survived by his wife, Ann; two of their children, Grady Cousins and Lillian Giornelli — who serves on the board of Cousins Properties — and several grandchildren. A third child, Caroline, passed away in 1999.
A family source confirmed that Cousins died Tuesday while hospitalized in Florida.
Statements
What they're saying:
Statement from Cousins Properties:
Tom Cousins, our visionary founder, not only shaped the Atlanta skyline – he shaped lives. When he founded Cousins in 1958, he brought with him a bold vision for real estate grounded in integrity and strong principles. Tom’s impact reached far beyond the buildings he developed. His legacy lives on in the culture of our company, in the transformation of Atlanta’s East Lake community, and in the extraordinary life he led. We are deeply honored to have been part of Tom Cousins’ remarkable journey. Our thoughts are with the Cousins family during this time.
Mayor Andre Dickens issued the following statement on the passing of developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins.
"My prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Cousins, whose vision helped shape our skyline, his generosity helped rebuild communities, and values helped define modern Atlanta. A man of deep faith who loved his family, his legacy will live on as a guidepost for what leadership can and should be in Atlanta."
The East Lake Foundation posted a statement on Facebook:
Purpose Built Communities has issued the following statement:
Purpose Built Communities is deeply saddened by the passing of our visionary founder, steadfast supporter, and dear friend, Tom Cousins. We mourn his loss alongside his family, the community, and the countless individuals whose lives he transformed through his unwavering belief in the potential of people and place.
Tom was far more than a generous philanthropist; he was the very heart and driving force behind Purpose Built, reaching families nationwide. His profound commitment to creating a more just and equitable America was not merely aspirational - it was achievable. Witnessing the challenges in Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood, Tom recognized that people are strong and resilient, but some neighborhood conditions created obstacles and barriers to participating in the American dream. His fierce belief in the connection between people and place informed the Purpose Built model that creates thriving, mixed-income communities offering genuine opportunity for all residents.
"While we feel a profound sense of loss, we are also filled with immense gratitude for his extraordinary life and leadership," said Carol R. Naughton, CEO of Purpose Built Communities. "His vision, generosity, and fierce dedication to building a more just America continue to inspire and guide our work every single day."
His leadership was characterized by boldness, strategic brilliance, and an unshakeable conviction that every individual deserves access to quality education, safe and affordable housing, wellness resources, and economic mobility. He understood that true community transformation requires a holistic, long-term approach, breaking down silos and fostering collaboration - principles that became the bedrock of Purpose Built Communities.
His legacy will continue to live on in East Lake and across the thriving Purpose Built Network now spanning over two dozen communities across the nation. He proved that transformative change is possible when driven by compassion, strategic investment, and a fundamental belief in justice and human potential.
We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Ann, his children, grandchildren, and the entire Cousins family. We pledge to honor Tom Cousins' monumental legacy by redoubling our efforts to fulfill the mission he so passionately championed: creating neighborhoods of opportunity where everyone can thrive.
His light will continue to guide us.