How We Got Here
Cason Development Group started in the heart of downtown Columbia because we value our city. Our goal is to add value to every project we are involved in either as an owner or as an owner’s representative. We have worked with small local businesses and Fortune 100 companies and have learned that every company has a strategy and a goal that is unique to them. Our approach seeks to understand those needs and accomplish them faster and more economically in a rapidly changing real estate market. We see ourselves as an extension of your team with a focus on providing long term value with excellent real estate and exceptional buildings.
2014 - 2018
2014 was a turning point in the life and career of Frank Cason our founder. His decision to go “all-in” with development and create Cason Development Group started in the heart of downtown Columbia because we value our city. Our goal is to add value to every project we are involved in either as an owner or as an owner’s representative. We have worked with small local businesses and Fortune 100 companies and have learned that every company has a strategy and a goal that is unique to them. Our approach seeks to understand those needs and accomplish them faster and more economically in a rapidly changing real estate market. We see ourselves as an extension of your team with a focus on providing long term value with excellent real estate and exceptional buildings. Digging deep into the Cottontown Community, we began the important work of revitalizing an area of Columbia that had been ignored too long. Along with strategic partners, we were able to turn around Cottontown and….
2019 - 2022
We not only survived COVID-19—we thrived. Adding team members and working to help recover the real estate market, we saw significant gains across the industrial and multifamily sectors.
During this time, we expanded into industrial development, delivering high-quality projects that strengthened Columbia’s logistics and manufacturing landscape. In the multifamily market, we led the development of 1813 Main and 2901 Rosewood Drive ("Fifth and Sloan"), two major residential projects.
Fifth and Sloan introduced a dynamic mixed-use concept, blending residential living with retail and commercial spaces to enhance the surrounding community. This period marked a time of resilience and strategic growth, solidifying our role as a leading force in commercial real estate development.
2023
Building on our success in multifamily development, we took a deeper venture into short-term rentals, expanding our expertise in residential real estate. Partnering with some of the region’s top architects, designers, and builders, we focused on creating high-quality, thoughtfully designed spaces that enhance the communities they serve.
In addition to our short-term rental expansion, we continued work on a series of six Taco Bell developments, two Starbucks locations, one Habit Burger, and one Murphy Oil station, further strengthening our presence in the national retail sector. We also broke ground on Shop Grove Industrial Park, a major milestone in our growing industrial portfolio. This year positioned us for continued growth, reinforcing our role as a key player in commercial real estate development across the Southeast.
2024
A year full of major milestones, 2024 marked a significant evolution for Cason Development Group. We expanded our leadership team with four new hires, including a much-needed COO, enhancing our operational capacity and setting the stage for long-term growth. This strategic expansion strengthened our ability to take on larger, more complex projects while maintaining our commitment to quality and community impact.
Our portfolio also grew substantially, with the addition of 300,000 square feet of new managed assets, reinforcing our expertise across multiple sectors.
We celebrated the development of a new marquee building, further establishing our presence in the commercial landscape. Additionally, we launched new mixed use, national retail, and industrial projects, continuing to shape the region with thoughtfully designed and strategically positioned developments.
2024 positioned Cason Development Group for its next phase of growth, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and delivering impactful projects that enhance the communities we serve.
2025 Onward
Development is about the future, and at Cason Development Group, we are committed to shaping what’s next. We are excited about our partnerships, our people, and our projects as we continue to grow in 2025 and beyond. With a focus on national retail expansion across the Southeast and strategic infill developments, we are launching new initiatives that strengthen our presence in key markets.
This year, we are accelerating our national retail projects, bringing high-profile brands to well-positioned sites throughout the Southeast. Our expertise in site selection, development, and leasing allows us to deliver high-quality retail spaces that meet the evolving needs of both tenants and consumers. At the same time, our focus on infill development enables us to revitalize underutilized urban and suburban properties, creating value-driven projects that seamlessly integrate into their surroundings.
As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to delivering impactful, well-executed developments that enhance the communities we serve while continuing to expand our portfolio across multiple asset classes. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, Cason Development Group is ready for what’s next.