Top U.S. Architecture Firms Expanding in the Southeast: What It Means for Design Careers and Hiring

Oct 27, 2025

Over the past few years, the Southeastern U.S. — particularly Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida — has become one of the most active growth corridors in architecture and construction.

Driven by population migration, corporate relocations, and public-sector investment, the region is attracting attention from top U.S. architecture firms. National brands are opening new studios, acquiring local firms, and investing in long-term expansion strategies — all of which are creating exciting career opportunities for architects and designers.

At Leadmark Group, we’re tracking these shifts closely because they directly impact both hiring demand and career mobility in the A/E/C industry.

1. Why the Southeast Is Booming

 

Several forces are fueling this wave of expansion:

  • Population Migration: The Southeast continues to see major in-migration from the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, driving new residential and mixed-use development.

  • Corporate Relocation: Fortune 500 companies have opened or moved headquarters to cities like Charlotte, Nashville, and Atlanta.

  • Infrastructure Investment: States across the region are investing in transportation, healthcare, and higher-education facilities.

  • Affordable Market Entry: Compared to coastal cities, Southeast metros offer lower real estate costs, reduced business expenses, and access to strong talent pools.

 

Together, these dynamics are reshaping where architecture firms choose to grow — and who they need to hire.

 

2. Major Firms Expanding in the Southeast

 

Mancini Duffy + Design Styles Architecture (Tampa, FL)

 

In early 2025, Mancini Duffy announced its acquisition of Design Styles Architecture (DSA) in Tampa. The move strengthens Mancini’s footprint in the Southeast and signals confidence in Florida’s luxury residential and multifamily sectors.

→ Read the announcement

Career impact:

  • New hiring activity across interior design, multifamily housing, and mixed-use projects.

  • Increased collaboration between local and national design teams.

 

 

NBBJ – Charlotte, NC Studio Launch

 

Global design firm NBBJ opened a new Charlotte office to serve the Carolinas’ healthcare, life-science, and education markets.

→ See details

Career impact:

  • Active recruitment for healthcare architects, planners, and project managers.

  • Opportunity for regional professionals to join a global firm while remaining in the Carolinas.

 

 

McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS)

 

Regional powerhouse MPS continues its expansion across the Southeast through strategic acquisitions, including Jumper Carter Sease in South Carolina and Hecht Burdeshaw Architects in Alabama.

→ Learn more

Career impact:

  • Leadership and studio management roles emerging as local firms merge into larger organizations.

  • Heightened demand for professionals experienced in education, healthcare, and civic projects.

 

 

3. What This Means for Architecture Professionals

 

The Southeast’s rapid growth translates into strong career potential for design talent:

  • More Leadership Opportunities: Firms launching new offices often need studio directors, project managers, and design leads who can build local teams.

  • Greater Geographic Flexibility: Candidates willing to relocate to growth markets like Nashville, Tampa, Charlotte, and Atlanta are in high demand.

  • Technology & Collaboration Skills: As multi-office collaboration becomes the norm, professionals adept at BIM, remote coordination, and AI-assisted workflows have a competitive edge.

  • Sector Specialization: Healthcare, mixed-use, education, and industrial projects dominate current hiring trends.

 

 

4. Why Firms Are Betting on the Southeast

 

From a business perspective, the Southeast offers firms a blend of strategic expansion and market stability:

  • Balanced Portfolios: Regional diversification helps offset volatility in coastal markets.

  • Client Access: Many corporate and institutional clients are expanding in these same cities.

  • Recruiting Advantage: Firms can attract experienced professionals seeking lower cost of living and improved work-life balance.

 

As firms compete for regional market share, strategic hiring — especially at the leadership and project management level — is becoming a key differentiator.

 

5. How Recruiters Like Leadmark Group Add Value

 

At Leadmark Group, we partner with A/E/C firms nationwide to identify and attract senior architects, project managers, and design leaders who can establish or grow new offices.

If your firm is planning to expand in the Southeast, we can help with:

  • Market research and salary benchmarking.

  • Targeted candidate outreach in regional networks.

  • Confidential leadership searches for new studios.

 

And for design professionals — we can connect you to firms actively hiring for studio leadership, project management, and technical design roles across the Southeast.

 

Key Takeaway

 

The Southeast is no longer just an affordable alternative — it’s the new frontier for architectural growth.

Whether you’re a firm executive planning regional expansion or a design professional seeking opportunity, this is where momentum is building.

 

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