East Mountain Development Group is a Real Estate Investment and Development firm specializing in retail projects throughout the Southeastern United States. Our services include market analysis and site selection, brokerage services, entitlement services, construction management and development.
About Us
EMDG provides turn-key, consulting, leasing, and build-to-suit development and re-development services for commercial properties across a broad range of asset types, including single and multi-tenant retail, office, industrial and residential projects. Service offerings are further defined as follows:
- Site selection
- Site layout
- Land acquisition
- Architect, engineer and contractor selection, coordination and contract negotiation
- Design assistance, including initial design and value engineering (if required)
- Permitting
- Construction Management
- Feasibility Analysis
- Highest and Best use analysis
- Project Budget development and management
- Entitlement services, including conceptual planning, neighborhood interaction, consultant management and zoning
- Financial consulting, including creation of development pro forma and creation of debt and equity financing packages
- Build vs. Buy analysis
- Site Analysis and selection
- Lease negotiation
- Construction management
Leadership
ALEX BRENNAN (Principal)
Alex is the founder of East Mountain Development Group.
Prior to founding EMDG, Alex served as Executive Vice President and Principal at Cannon Equities (“CE”). While at CE, Alex served in multiple roles including development management, asset management, property management and construction management. Alex was responsible for overseeing all facets of the development process, including securing the initial site and managing projects up to tenant occupancy. Additionally, Alex has worked with several Tenants in consulting and brokerage transactions in the retail, office, and industrial sectors. Most recently, Alex has focused his Tenant representation and consulting practice in the craft beer sector, and looks forward to expanding his work in this sector.
Mr. Brennan previously worked in corporate banking and capital markets in a variety of capacities with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. During his time at SunTrust he worked on several large commercial real estate transactions, including several transactions with public and private REITs. He started his career with Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T) as a commercial lender following completion of the BB&T Management Development Program.
Mr. Brennan is an active member of NAIOP (including as a member of the Developing Leaders program), a member of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, and has served on the Stone Mountain Downtown Development authority. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Emory University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Georgia.
Our Tenants
Development Projects and Services
"The Quarter Upper Westside"
44 acre Mixed Use site on Atlanta’s emerging Upper Westside including Condominiums (22), Retail (27,000 square feet) and Multi-Family (475 units)
While with Cannon Equities, Alex conducted site analysis (including highest and best use), concept development, entitlement (including re-zoning in City of Atlanta), disposition management (oversaw town home and apartment land transactions) and construction management on behalf of an institutional owner. Later contracted to purchase the land, and performed due diligence, consultant selection, equity and debt placement and vertical development of a 27,000 square foot commercial town center, which also included a 22 unit boutique condominium project.
"Vickery Village"
210 acre mixed use site in Forsyth County including 150,000 square feet of commercial space, multiple development parcels, standing inventory, and commercial condominiums.
While at Cannon Equities, Alex was responsible for overall asset management, property management, leasing and disposition management for this award winning new-urbanist project. During his tenure, Alex successfully repositioned the 65,000 square foot retail village, including overseeing property management and leasing. The center’s occupancy was raised from 38% to 89% over a two year period prior to the successful sale of the asset. Additional roles included negotiation and sale of single family lots, development parcels, and commercial outparcels.
"Sterling Estates"
102 unit Assisted Living Facility owned and developed by Health Care Capital Consolidated in Cobb County, GA
Alex provided development consulting services, including site planning, architect, engineer and contractor selection process, budget and pro forma development, entitlement services including a contentious rezoning in the affluent East Cobb area, and debt negotiation. The project was successfully rezoned and developed in 2011 and 2012.
"DeKalb County Rezoning"
Client - Confidential
7.2 acre site located in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA
Provided outsource development services for an Atlanta based retail developer. Services provided included land brokerage, site planning assistance, due diligence coordination, and turn-key re-zoning services, including presentations to community council, planning commission and county commission. Successfully rezoned the property from R-100 to C-1 with limited conditions, all of which were acceptable to the client, in April 2017.
"Commercial Land Portfolio Analysis - Metro Atlanta"
Client - Confidential
6 property portfolio located in DeKalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Cherokee , Dawson and Douglas Counties
EMDG was engaged by a single family builder to develop strategies for the development or disposition excess, commercially zoned land in the outer arc of the Atlanta metro area. Highest and best use analyses were performed for each property, and the varying strategies for each are currently being implemented.
"Retail Redevelopment - Former Rite Aid - Woodstock, GA"
EMDG leveraged its lender relationships to source, contract and purchase this 8,700 sf vacant Rite from the REO group of a regional bank before it went out to the market. Plans are underway to redevelop and re-tenant the center as a single or multi-tenant retail building.
"Outrun Brewing - Stone Mountain GA - Redevelop to Suit "
EMDG purchased a 1960’s area service station located in Historic Stone Mountain Village and leased the project to the Founders of Outrun Brewing, a small-scale production brewery that focuses on approachable and highly drinkable small-batch brews. EMDG used a combination of traditional financing and non-traditional, government -related loan proceeds to successfully acquire and fund a portion of the renovations. EMDG also provided Project Management and Construction Management for the adaptive reuse of the building.
"Old Post Office Redevelopment - Stone Mountain, GA "
EMDG provided acquisition and renovation consulting, brokerage, and redevelopment services to the Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority. This project represented the first major speculative project for the Authority, and will serve as an example of appropriate redevelopment in a historic setting for future redevelopment and adaptive reuse projects in the city.
"Single Family Residential - Candler Park "
EMDG sourced an off market residential lot in the desirable Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta. EMDG partnered with Silver Hill Homes, an Atlanta based custom home builder, to acquire the lot, and the team is currently finalizing plans for 2 single family units on the site with an estimated delivery date of Q3 2021.
Brewery Consulting Services
Cherry St Brewing
http://www.cherrystreetbrewing.com
EMDG is working with the owner and operator of Cherry Street Brewing on site evaluation, site selection, build to suit development, and Tenant Rep brokerage assignments in the Southeast. Prior assignments include tenant representation at Cherry Street Halcyon, Project and Construction Management at Cherry Street Halcyon, and as landlord leasing agent on the initial lease for the establishment of the brewpub, as well as subsequent expansions.
Arches Brewing
http://www.archesbrewing.com
EMDG is working with the owners of Arches Brewing on build to suit development opportunities, buy versus lease analysis, and other real estate consultation assignments for this existing brewery located in Hapeville, GA.
Elsewhere Brewing
https://elsewherebrewing.com
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Elsewhere Brewing to provide Tenant Representation services as well as Project and Construction Management. EMDG leveraged its reputation for representing best in class breweries in the Atlanta market to source a 5,200 square foot location along the Southside trail of the Atlanta Beltline. Following the execution of the lease, EMDG was engaged as Project and Construction manager, and guided the project to successful completion despite facing construction and permitting challenges posed by COVID 19 pandemic.
Kettlerock Brewing
http://www.kettlerockbrewing.com
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Kettlerock Brewing to provide Tenant Representation services as well as Project and Construction Management. The founders were focused on bringing a best in class brewery experience to their hometown of Peachtree Corners. EMDG negotiated the lease on a highly visible 5,000 square foot former restaurant. Following the execution of the lease, EMDG was engaged as Project and Construction manager, and also provided Financing referrals through our network of SBA lenders with previous brewery experience. The project is underway and anticipates a Q1 2021 Opening.
Round Trip Brewing Company
http://www.roundtripbrewing.com
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Round Trip Brewing to provide Project and Construction Management services for the build out of their production brewery, tap room and event space. EMDG provided architecture review, construction bidding and on site management, and SBA financing consultation. The project has recently delivered and anticipates a Q4 2020 opening.
Six Bridges Brewing
http://www.sixbridgesbrewing.com
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Six Bridges Brewing to provide Tenant Representation services. The founders of Six Bridges were focused on developing a second tasting room and small batch production facility suitable to drive retail sales and develop brand awareness. EMDG identified opportunities in multiple Metro Atlanta submarkets for the initiative.
Pontoon Brewing
http://www.pontoonbrewing.com
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Pontoon Brewing to provide Tenant Representation services as well as Project and Construction Management. The founders of Pontoon were focused on developing a best in class production facility suitable to meet increasing demand through distribution. EMDG identified opportunities in multiple Metro Atlanta submarkets and successfully negotiated the lease on a 33,000 square foot industrial building in the emerging Tucker market. Following the execution of the lease, EMDG has been engaged as Project and Construction manager. The project is underway and anticipates a Q3 2021 opening.
Erwin and Church
EMDG was engaged by the founders of Erwin and Church Brewing to provide Tenant Representation services for their startup Brewery and Tasting room. EMDG conducted a search focused on downtown opportunities along the I-75 corridor, and ultimately identified an off market opportunity in Historic Cartersville. EMDG negotiated the lease, and assisted in the entitlement process. EMDG has also been retained to provide Financing consulting related to both traditional and non-traditional financing options.
Tenant Representation
Barberitos Franchisee
https://www.barberitos.com/
EMDG has worked with one of the largest franchisees of Barberitos on site evaluation, site selection, and build to suit development projects in North and Middle Georgia.
Jimmy Johns Franchisee
https://www.jimmyjohns.com/
EMDG has worked with a multi-unit franchisee of Jimmy Johns on site evaluation, site selection, build to suit development, and Tenant Rep brokerage assignments in the Atlanta market.
3Ci
https://www.3ci-mau.com/
Following management turnover, the President and Owner of 3Ci desired a change in office space to reflect a more dynamic culture and working environment to better represent the new vision for the company (as well as attract and retain better employees). EMDG worked as Tenant Representative on behalf of 3Ci, and successfully identified an off-market sublease space that both met their needs, and provided an excellent economic value in a premier Class A office complex in Central Perimeter. After one year, EMDG worked on an expansion lease to add additional in house production capability for exclusive in house produced content.
Blue Cypress Consulting
https://bluecypress-consulting.com
The Owner of Blue Cypress Consulting engaged EMDG to assist it in its search for its first office expansion. EMDG worked as Tenant Representative on behalf of Blue Cypress, and successfully identified and negotiated a lease on a space that met Blue Cypress’s immediate needs while also allowing for projected growth of head count.
El Thrifty
https://www.elthrifty.com
The Owner of El Thrifty, a Mexican-inspired cantina, bar and gaming venue, engaged EMDG to assist it in submarket review and tenant representation within the Atlanta market for expansion. EMDG is working on behalf of El Thrifty on a variety of deals across multiple Atlanta submarkets.