Cousins Properties (CUZ +0.90%) focuses on Class A office buildings in fast-growing Sun Belt markets. It owns modern office buildings across Austin, Atlanta, Phoenix, Charlotte, Tampa, Houston, Dallas, and Nashville.
Cousins Properties' focus on the Sun Belt region has paid off. The region has benefited from significant migration from cold, expensive coastal cities to cheaper, warmer cities in the Sun Belt. Companies are also moving into the region because of better business climates and abundant worker pools.
These migration trends have enabled Cousins Properties to launch new development projects and acquire properties to expand its portfolio. In early 2026, the office REIT bought 200 South Tryon, a premier lifestyle office property in Charlotte, for $317.5 million. It also bought its joint venture partner's 10% interest in 100 Mill for $18.5 million and acquired a preferred equity interest in 5th & Walsh with a $31.5 million funding commitment in 2027. Cousins also closed some non-core asset sales to help fund these new investments.
4. SL Green Realty