Cushman & Wakefield Nabs Rival Star Gregg Metcalf in Atlanta Power Play

ATLANTA, GA – January 30, 2026 – In a move that underscores the intense competition for top talent in commercial real estate, Cushman & Wakefield has announced the appointment of Gregg Metcalf as Executive Director. Metcalf, a 30-year industry veteran with a formidable reputation in tenant representation, joins the firm from rival powerhouse JLL, where he spent the last 16 years.

The high-profile hire is a significant strategic maneuver for Cushman & Wakefield, aimed at bolstering its tenant advisory services in the dynamic and increasingly complex Atlanta office market. Metcalf will partner with the firm’s existing Executive Directors, Ken Ashley and Sam Hollis, to form what insiders are already dubbing a “powerhouse team.”

A Strategic Coup in the Talent Wars

Metcalf’s move is more than a routine executive appointment; it is a clear signal of Cushman & Wakefield's aggressive growth strategy in a market where expert advisory is at a premium. The commercial real estate sector has been characterized by fierce “talent wars,” with leading firms actively poaching top producers to gain a competitive edge. This hire places Cushman & Wakefield squarely on the offensive.

“I’ve known Gregg for several decades, and in addition to being one of our region’s top brokers, like Ken and Sam, he is a thoughtful, creative leader in our community,” said Chris Ahrenkiel, Cushman & Wakefield’s Atlanta Managing Principal. Ahrenkiel's statement highlights the dual value of the hire: acquiring not only a top dealmaker but also a respected industry leader. “Combining Gregg with Ken and Sam forms a powerhouse team whose strengths and skill sets create tremendous value for clients and build on our momentum to grow via adding the industry’s top talent.”

Metcalf’s arrival is expected to amplify the firm’s capabilities, particularly in advising office occupiers who are navigating a market in flux. His extensive experience includes orchestrating complex headquarters relocations, build-to-suit projects, and intricate incentive negotiations for a roster of high-profile clients.

The “Unfair Advantage” for Office Occupiers

Throughout his career, which includes over $1 billion in tenant-exclusive real estate transactions, Metcalf has cultivated a reputation for giving his clients what many describe as “The Unfair Advantage.” This stems from a unique background that combines 15 years as a landlord and developer representative with over 15 years as a dedicated tenant advisor. This dual perspective allows him to deconstruct transactions from both sides, uncovering opportunities and mitigating risks that others might miss.

His track record is a testament to this approach. Metcalf was the driving force behind several of Atlanta’s most significant corporate relocations, including securing the 225,000-square-foot North American Headquarters for Mercedes-Benz USA in Sandy Springs. He also orchestrated Cisco’s 93,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Midtown’s Coda building and managed AIG’s consolidation into a 180,000-square-foot space at Perimeter Summit. For clients like Deloitte, he has executed strategies to optimize footprints and implement new workplace designs, securing “remarkably advantageous” terms even in tightening markets.

This expertise is precisely what companies are seeking as they navigate Atlanta's evolving office landscape. Metcalf’s ability to deliver creative, data-driven strategies is seen as a critical asset for businesses looking to align their real estate with broader corporate goals like talent recruitment, retention, and profitability.

Navigating Atlanta’s Market Inflection Point

Metcalf joins Cushman & Wakefield at a pivotal moment for the Atlanta office market. The phrase “highly complex market,” used by both Metcalf and Ahrenkiel to describe the current climate, is not hyperbole. While national headlines have focused on rising vacancies post-pandemic, the situation on the ground in Atlanta is far more nuanced.

Recent data shows the market may be at an inflection point. After years of tenants downsizing, leasing activity in Atlanta saw a 5.8% increase in the final quarter of 2025, marking the highest volume of the year. However, a significant portion of this activity—over 41%—was driven by renewals. This indicates that while companies are committing to office space, many are choosing to reassess and optimize their current locations rather than relocate, a sign of both caution and strategic re-evaluation.

Simultaneously, a limited pipeline of new construction combined with conversions of older office buildings to other uses is beginning to tighten the supply of premier, Class A space. This “flight to quality” means that while overall vacancy may be high, competition for the best-located, highest-quality, and most amenity-rich buildings is intensifying. It is in this environment that an expert advisor becomes indispensable, helping tenants secure transformational outcomes rather than simply signing a lease.

Building a Formidable Team

Metcalf is not joining the firm to operate in a silo. His integration with Ken Ashley and Sam Hollis is a deliberate strategy to create a dominant force in Atlanta’s tenant representation space. The collaboration aims to merge complementary skills and extensive market knowledge to offer clients a level of service that is difficult to replicate.

“Cushman & Wakefield has tremendous momentum in Atlanta, nationally and across the globe, as well as a storied history,” Metcalf stated, acknowledging the strength of the platform he is joining. “With the combined skills of our office tenant rep team, we have a real opportunity to provide an unsurpassed level of client services as occupiers navigate a highly complex market.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Metcalf is deeply embedded in the local community. His leadership roles, including past Chairman of the Board for Blood Cancer United of Georgia and South Carolina and his current position on the Board of Trustees of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Foundation, speak to a commitment that extends beyond corporate real estate. This community involvement, coupled with his past presidency of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, solidifies his standing as a key figure in Atlanta’s business landscape, further enhancing the value he brings to his new role at Cushman & Wakefield.