Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, and its architectural landscape reflects that growth through a mix of ambitious new construction, adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings, and steady residential renovation activity across established in-town neighborhoods. The city is home to Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture, which has produced generations of architects who remained in Atlanta and shaped its built environment. From the corporate towers of Peachtree Street to the craftsman bungalows of Grant Park and the modernist residences of Druid Hills, Atlanta’s architectural range gives practitioners a stimulating and varied canvas. The local market includes strong demand for residential architects specializing in custom homes, renovation architects who understand historic preservation guidelines in neighborhoods with local landmark designations, and commercial architects serving the city’s active corporate, hospitality, and multifamily development sectors.
When hiring an architect in Atlanta, verify that they are licensed by the Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers, which is a legal requirement for anyone practicing architecture in Georgia. Membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), particularly AIA Georgia or AIA Atlanta, is a meaningful signal of professional engagement and access to ongoing education and peer review. Ask to see completed projects similar in type, scale, and complexity to yours, and speak with previous clients about the architect’s responsiveness, accuracy in estimating construction costs, and ability to manage contractor relationships during construction administration. Red flags include architects who cannot clearly explain their fee structure, who downplay the importance of construction administration services, or who have no documented experience with Atlanta’s local zoning codes and permitting processes.
Top Architect Companies in Atlanta
1. Niles Bolton Associates
Founded: 1975
Address: 3060 Peachtree Road NW, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 365-7600
Website: https://www.nilesbolton.com
Awards & Recognition: Ranked No. 1 for Student Housing in 2025 BD+C Rankings; previously ranked No. 1 residential architecture firm in the United States by World Architecture
Services:
- Multifamily residential architecture
- Student housing design
- Mixed-use development
- Hospitality architecture
- Corporate and institutional design
- Interior design
- Landscape architecture
- Master planning
About: Founded by G. Niles Bolton in 1975 following his graduation from Georgia Tech and military service, Niles Bolton Associates has grown from a single Atlanta office into a firm with projects in 49 states and 16 countries. The firm’s extraordinary depth of multifamily residential experience — including its top national ranking for student housing design in 2025 — reflects decades of specialization in the residential sector alongside broad commercial and institutional capabilities. Their Atlanta headquarters on Peachtree Road serves as the base for a practice that consistently produces work at a scale and quality few regional firms can match. A secondary office in Alexandria, Virginia supports their work in the Mid-Atlantic market.
2. HKS, Inc.
Address: 3280 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 442-7878
Website: https://www.hksinc.com/our-offices/atlanta/
Services:
- Corporate and commercial architecture
- Healthcare architecture
- Sports and entertainment venues
- Hospitality design
- Multifamily residential
- Interior design
- Sustainable design
About: HKS is one of the largest architecture firms in the United States, and its Atlanta office on Peachtree Road draws on the full depth of the firm’s global resources to serve clients across the Southeast. The Atlanta team brings expertise across corporate, healthcare, hospitality, and multifamily sectors, making the office a significant resource for complex, large-scale projects that benefit from access to specialized technical teams across the HKS network. The firm’s commitment to evidence-based design and sustainability is integrated into its practice across all project types. Atlanta clients benefit from the firm’s national scale while working with a team embedded in the local market and development community.
3. McMillan Pazdan Smith
Address: 1200 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30309
Website: https://www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com/locations/atlanta/
Services:
- Commercial and corporate architecture
- Educational facility design
- Healthcare architecture
- Multifamily residential
- Historic preservation and adaptive reuse
- Sustainable design
- Interior architecture
About: McMillan Pazdan Smith’s Atlanta studio is located in the Promenade Central building in Midtown’s Arts District, placing the team within walking distance of the High Museum, MODA, the Woodruff Arts Center, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra — an environment that reflects the firm’s commitment to design culture. The firm serves clients across corporate, education, healthcare, and multifamily sectors with a reputation for thoughtful, community-centered work that responds to the specific character of each project’s context. Their experience with historic preservation and adaptive reuse is particularly relevant in Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods, where owners of older commercial buildings frequently seek to convert or rehabilitate structures for contemporary use. The Atlanta team combines regional expertise with the resources of a multi-office firm that also operates in Greenville, Charlotte, Nashville, and other Southeast markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find the right architect for my Atlanta home renovation or new build?
A: Start by identifying architects whose published work reflects the scale, style, and project type you are pursuing, using resources like the AIA Atlanta member directory, Houzz, and architectural publication websites. Request consultations with two or three firms before committing, and use those meetings to evaluate communication style, responsiveness, and whether the architect asks good questions about how you intend to use the space. Ask for three to five client references from completed projects similar to yours and follow up with those references specifically about budget accuracy, timeline management, and responsiveness during construction.
Q: How much does an architect cost for a residential project in Atlanta?
A: Architectural fees for residential projects in Atlanta typically range from 8 to 15 percent of total construction cost for full-service design and construction administration, with fees at the higher end of that range for smaller projects or those requiring more complex detailing. Some architects offer design-only services without construction administration at a lower percentage, but this approach shifts coordination risk to the owner. Hourly billing is also common for smaller scope work, with rates for licensed architects in Atlanta generally ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. Always clarify exactly what services are included in the fee before signing a contract.
Q: What permits does an architect help navigate in Atlanta?
A: An architect practicing in Atlanta regularly works with the City of Atlanta’s Office of Buildings for commercial projects and with county permitting offices for residential projects in the unincorporated areas of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett counties. Depending on the project location, Historic Preservation reviews may be required for properties in designated historic districts such as Inman Park, Grant Park, or Druid Hills. Architects familiar with Atlanta’s permitting landscape know which agencies are involved, what documentation is required, and how to structure the submittal process to minimize delays in a permitting environment that can be backlogged during high-construction-volume periods.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s architecture market is served by a strong mix of local firms with deep community ties and larger firms with national resources and specialized expertise. Niles Bolton Associates brings 50 years of Atlanta-based practice and a nationally recognized track record in multifamily and student housing design. HKS provides access to the full resources of one of the country’s largest architecture firms through a Peachtree Road office embedded in Atlanta’s corporate district. McMillan Pazdan Smith offers thoughtful, community-centered design across commercial, educational, and historic preservation project types from a Midtown studio. Reach out to any of these firms to discuss your Atlanta project.