Audra L. Cunningham launches ACRE Consultants in Atlanta and Washington

Audra L. Cunningham has launched ACRE Consultants as a conflict-free tenant representation firm serving occupiers from Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The debut highlights the firm’s 20 million-square-foot transaction track record, Black woman-owned leadership and plans to expand across commercial real estate, data center and workplace advisory.

Why it matters: - ACRE Consultants is entering a competitive commercial real estate market with a tenant-only model designed to remove landlord conflicts. - The firm is positioning itself as an advocate for occupiers, public institutions and community stakeholders across Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and beyond. - The launch adds another Black woman-owned advisory firm to an industry that Cunningham says was not built for people who look like her to succeed.

What happened: - ACRE Consultants officially launched with a high-profile event in Atlanta. - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens keynoted the debut. - Developer Jim Irwin also spoke at the event. - Clients Dawn Arnold, COO of Invest Atlanta, and Stephanie Martin, CFO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, were among the speakers. - ACRE Consultants is based in Atlanta and has offices in Washington, D.C.

The details: - ACRE Consultants works exclusively for occupiers and does not represent landlords. - The firm focuses on site selection, lease negotiation and workplace strategy. - Audra L. Cunningham founded the firm and serves as founder and CEO. - Cunningham says she has more than 20 million square feet of transaction experience and an 80% tenant representation focus. - ACRE Consultants describes its approach as people-first, relationship-driven advocacy. - Cunningham said the firm was built to serve her community and create value that lasts beyond each transaction. - ACRE Consultants says its framework rests on four pillars: The Bridge, The Builder, The Blueprint and The Connector. - The Bridge aligns institutional capital and corporate expansion with community development. - The Builder focuses on structuring real estate deals. - The Blueprint centers on conflict-free, occupier-focused advisory. - The Connector uses a network of capital partners, civic leaders and corporate decision-makers to move deals forward. - The firm’s services include tenant representation and brokerage, data center and infrastructure consulting, portfolio optimization and workplace strategy, tenant curation for developers, and acquisition and disposition advisory. - Tenant representation covers office, industrial, retail and medical assets across corporate, nonprofit and public sectors. - Data center consulting includes stakeholder engagement, community relations and negotiations over community benefit agreements. - Portfolio optimization work includes space utilization analysis and footprint evaluation tied to workforce culture and cost reduction goals. - Tenant curation services support mixed-use and healthcare developments. - Acquisition and disposition advisory includes market analysis, institutional valuation and capital network execution. - ACRE Consultants said its work can include helping a public school district with property reuse or aligning a data center with municipal priorities. - Press and media inquiries are directed to Aysha Abdullatif at ayeworld agency. - The company’s social media links include LinkedIn and Instagram.

Between the lines: - The launch event and political turnout suggest ACRE Consultants is leaning on civic relationships as part of its market strategy. - The firm’s messaging mixes commercial real estate advisory with community impact, which may help it stand out in occupier representation and public-sector work. - Cunningham’s emphasis on mentorship and inclusion suggests the brand is being built as both a business and a platform.

What's next: - ACRE Consultants plans to grow its national footprint from its Atlanta headquarters and Washington, D.C. offices. - The firm is targeting complex projects tied to regional expansion, infrastructure, mixed-use development and public-sector reuse. - ACRE Consultants says it will continue to focus on long-term value rather than transactional wins.

The bottom line: - ACRE Consultants is entering the market with a clear niche: conflict-free tenant representation led by a veteran broker with deep transaction experience and strong civic ties.