Build-to-Rent trend continues in Atlanta's southern, western suburbs

For proof that Atlanta’s Build-to-Rent housing trend wasn’t merely a pandemic-era fad, for better or worse, look no further than Cobb and Coweta counties.  

Two unrelated, sizable BTR projects are moving forward in Powder Springs (northwest of Atlanta) and Newnan (southwest of the city) that will add another 270 new rental homes to the metro market, as development teams announced separately this month. 

The BTR model has drawn criticism for claiming available land that could have gone to for-sale housing, where first-time homebuyers could start to build wealth via equity. Builders maintain the housing type allows for flexibility and often lower housing costs for metro residents who prefer not to be locked into mortgages. 

Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening and where, beginning with the project that’s under construction today in Cobb County: 

Trilogy Investment Company has closed on a site at 4975 Hill Road in Powder Springs, with plans to build a 120-unit townhome community called REV3 at Hill Road. It marks Trilogy’s sixth BTR venture this year across the Sunbelt, per company reps. 

Plans call for stacked townhomes with one-car garages and open layouts, alongside a playground, walking trails, greenspaces, a playground, and pet areas. 

The site, according to Trilogy, is roughly 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta, with nearby perks that include downtown Powder Springs, the Silver Comet Trail, and dining and shopping destinations such as Hiram and Marietta.

Leasing at the REV3 Homes-built project is scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of this year. The first batch of townhomes is expected to deliver in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

“As affordability pressures continue to challenge homeownership," said Jason Joseph, Trilogy's CEO and managing partner, in a statement, "building thoughtfully designed rental communities allows us to deliver high-quality housing more quickly, while maintaining the character and amenities residents expect from a traditional neighborhood.”

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Meanwhile, in the south metro, active suburban homebuilder Parkland Residential has been granted a green light to move forward with a larger BTR venture. 

The City of Newnan’s mayor and council recently granted a rare zoning approval for a 150-home project called Celebration Park, marking the city’s first residential zoning OK since last year, according to Parkland reps. 

Slated for land along Celebrate Life Parkway, just off Interstate 85, the project calls for 114 rear-entry, stacked townhomes and 36 front-entry, ranch-style townhomes that will target active adult renters. 

The successful rezoning to a designation called Residential Multifamily Low Density marked “a significant achievement in one of metro Atlanta’s most restrictive entitlement environments,” according to a Parkland announcement. The city has granted few zoning approvals in recent years and has imposed a moratorium on residential projects with more than 20 units through Dec. 31 this year. 

Perks of Celebration Park call for a dog park, direct access to the PATH Foundation’s LINC Trail, a playground, and a resort-style pool with cabanas. 

In a project announcement, Parkland reps said they plan “to build many such communities over the next several years” across metro Atlanta.  

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