Atlanta is home to one of the most dynamic architectural markets in the southeastern United States, shaped by decades of corporate expansion, a booming multifamily development sector, and the city’s ongoing reinvention of its industrial and commercial districts through adaptive reuse. Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture has anchored a local talent pipeline that keeps the city well supplied with design talent, and the AIA Atlanta chapter represents hundreds of practicing firms that range from sole practitioners to internationally recognized studios. The demand for architecture services spans commercial, institutional, residential, and mixed-use project types, with particular strength in corporate interiors, hospitality, multifamily housing, and historic preservation — all sectors where Atlanta’s market has shown sustained growth over the past decade. Clients in Atlanta work with architecture firms that understand both the city’s ambitions for contemporary design and the deep respect many neighborhoods have for their historic character.
When engaging an architecture firm in Atlanta, verify that the firm holds a valid license from the Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers, and ask about AIA membership, which reflects ongoing professional development and accountability to ethical standards. Review project portfolios for demonstrated experience with your specific project type and scale — a firm that specializes in corporate interiors may not be the right fit for a custom residential commission, and vice versa. Understand the full scope of services offered: full-service firms typically cover programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, permitting, and construction administration, while some firms offer design-only services without the critical oversight provided during construction. Ask specifically about the firm’s experience navigating Atlanta’s permitting environment, which can involve the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings, county permitting offices, and — for projects in historic districts — the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.
Top Architecture Firm 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
- Urban planning and master planning
About: Founded by Georgia Tech graduate G. Niles Bolton in 1975, Niles Bolton Associates has built one of the deepest portfolios of multifamily and student housing work of any firm based in the southeastern United States, with projects completed in 49 states and 16 countries. Their consistent presence at the top of national multifamily design rankings reflects a specialized expertise that major developers and universities across the country seek out. The firm’s Atlanta headquarters has served as the creative center for a practice that grew from a single-person office to a nationally recognized studio over five decades. A Washington, D.C. office supports their work across the Mid-Atlantic and federal markets.
2. TVS Design
Address: 1200 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 888-6600
Website: https://www.tvsdesign.com
Services:
- Convention centers and large-scale civic buildings
- Hospitality and hotel design
- Corporate interiors and workplace design
- Mixed-use and retail development
- Sports and entertainment facilities
- Urban design
About: TVS Design, formerly known as Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates, has been a defining presence in Atlanta’s architectural landscape for decades, responsible for some of the city’s most iconic convention and hospitality facilities. Their portfolio includes major convention centers, hotels, and corporate facilities across the United States and internationally, reflecting a capability for large, complex building programs that few regional firms can match. The Midtown Atlanta location puts the firm at the center of one of the city’s most architecturally active corridors. TVS has consistently earned recognition for the quality and ambition of their design work across the public assembly, hospitality, and corporate sectors.
3. Perkins and Will
Address: 1315 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 873-2300
Website: https://www.perkinswill.com
Services:
- Healthcare architecture and interior design
- Corporate and workplace design
- Education and research facility design
- Multifamily residential
- Science and technology facilities
- Sustainable design and LEED consulting
- Urban planning
About: Perkins and Will is one of the largest and most recognized architecture and design firms in the world, and their Atlanta office on Peachtree Street serves as a significant hub for the firm’s work across the southeastern United States. The Atlanta team brings deep expertise in healthcare architecture, corporate design, and educational facilities, sectors where the firm has built national and international reputations for design quality and technical rigor. Perkins and Will’s commitment to sustainability is embedded across all project types, and the Atlanta studio has contributed to a number of notable LEED-certified projects in the region. The firm’s global resources, accessible through the Atlanta office, give local clients access to specialized expertise in sectors where deep technical knowledge is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose an architecture firm in Atlanta for a commercial project?
A: Start by identifying firms with demonstrated experience in your specific project type — hospitality, office, multifamily, or institutional — and reviewing their portfolios for quality and range. Request proposals from two or three firms and use the proposal process to evaluate how clearly each firm articulates their design process, project management approach, and fee structure. Meeting the specific team members who would lead your project, rather than just senior principals who may focus on business development, is essential to understanding the working relationship you are entering.
Q: What are typical architecture firm fees in Atlanta for commercial projects?
A: Architecture fees for commercial projects in Atlanta typically range from 5 to 12 percent of total construction cost for full-service design and construction administration, varying based on project complexity, the firm’s billing model, and the scope of services included. Some firms use a fixed-fee structure established at project inception, while others bill hourly against a not-to-exceed budget. Specialized project types such as healthcare or science facilities tend to command fees at the higher end of that range due to the technical complexity involved. Always clarify what is included in the base fee versus what would be billed as additional services before signing an owner-architect agreement.
Q: How long does the architecture and permitting process take for a new building in Atlanta?
A: The design phase for a commercial project typically takes three to twelve months depending on project complexity, with larger and more complex buildings requiring longer design periods. Permitting timelines in Atlanta can add two to six months on top of design completion, depending on project type, the completeness of the submittal, and the current volume of permit applications the city is processing. Historic district reviews or variances can add additional time. Experienced Atlanta architecture firms build their project schedules with realistic permitting timelines and maintain active communication with the permitting office to manage the process as efficiently as possible.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s architecture firm market offers clients access to some of the region’s most capable and experienced design practices, with specializations ranging from student housing and convention centers to healthcare facilities and sustainable corporate campuses. Niles Bolton Associates brings 50 years of Atlanta-based practice and a nationally ranked body of multifamily and student housing work. TVS Design provides deep expertise in large-scale hospitality, convention, and corporate facility design from a longstanding Midtown Atlanta base. Perkins and Will offers global-scale resources and recognized expertise in healthcare, education, and sustainable design through their active Atlanta studio. Contact any of these firms to discuss how their capabilities align with your next Atlanta project.