Crescent Communities has elevated Benjamin Collins to president of multifamily. He succeeds Jay Curran, who was named chairman and CEO of the nationwide developer and operator last month.
Collins, who has been instrumental in the firm’s multifamily strategy and growth during his 17-year tenure, will oversee development, investment, and operations across Crescent Communities’ platform. He will lead the strategic direction, growth, and performance of its multifamily brand, NOVEL.
“Ben has been instrumental in shaping our multifamily business and driving its continued success,” said Curran. “He brings leadership, creativity, market insight, and a commitment to excellence that will ensure we continue to deliver differentiated, best-in-class communities.”
Collins has risen through the ranks at Crescent Communities, initially playing a key role in strengthening the firm’s presence in the Carolinas and then deepening its footprint in Washington, D.C., and Tennessee. He then was named executive managing director and led the expansion of its multifamily platform in the West before assuming oversight of the entire pipeline nationwide.
During his time at Crescent Communities, Collins has delivered 23,000 multifamily units and nearly 375,000 square feet of retail with a $6 billion value.
“I’m honored to step into this role and continue building on the strong foundation Jay helped established,” he said. “Crescent Communities has a unique approach to placemaking: one that prioritizes people, community, and long-term value. I’m excited to work alongside our talented team to further elevate our multifamily platform and continue delivering exceptional communities.”
Crescent Communities ranked No. 21 on the National Multifamily Housing Council’s top developers list this year, starting 2,308 units last year. The firm continues to experience growth with $7.2 billion of residential and commercial investments and developments in various stages of construction, operations, and planning. In addition to its multifamily platform, it has a continued focus on its single-family build-to-rent (BTR) brand, HARMON, in markets such as Dallas; Greensboro, North Carolina; Phoenix; and Tampa, Florida.
The firm’s pipeline includes 15,300 multifamily and BTR units, 58,000 square feet of complementary retail space, and 7.5 million square feet of office, industrial, and life-sciences facilities.
The developer and operator recently broke ground on two new multifamily developments: NOVEL Richland Creek in West Nashville, Tennessee, and NOVEL Lulah Hills in Decatur, Georgia.
The mixed-use NOVEL Richland Creek, being developed in partnership with Stockbridge Capital Group, will deliver 277 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments anchored by 4,800 square feet of retail.
NOVEL Lulah Hills will feature 303 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with over 39,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Units will begin delivering in late 2027.