CUZ Cousins Properties Inc

Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE: CUZ) and Faison Enterprises announced today the companies have added more than 20 additional retailers at The Avenue Murfreesboro, an 810,000-square-foot open-air retail center in suburban Nashville, Tenn. Conceived as the centerpiece of a 400-acre master-planned�commercial development along newly-opened�Medical Center Parkway, The Avenue Murfreesboro � a 50/50 joint venture of Cousins Properties and Faison Enterprises � will eventually be home to more than 110 retailers and restaurants. Construction began in July 2006 and the project�s Grand Opening will be in October of 2007. The new retailer commitments at the center are After Hours Formalwear, Bath & Body Works, Crabtree & Evelyn, David�s Bridal, Delia�s, GNC Live Well, Gymboree, Harry & David, Haverty�s, Icing by Claire�s, Liz Claiborne Shoes & Accessories, Maggie Moo�s, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Michaels, Motherhood Maternity, Origins, Portrait Innovations, Quicksilver Boardriders, Sassy Scrappers, Select Comfort, Sports Clips, Sunglass Hut and Wet Seal. Previously announced commitments to the project include Ann Taylor Loft, Barnes & Noble, Belk, Best Buy, Carters, Champs Sports, Chico's, Coldwater Creek, Cost Plus World Market, Dick's Sporting Goods, Francesca�s Collections, Jos. A Bank, Kay Jewelers, Lane Bryant, Limited Too, Linens �N Things, Longhorn Steakhouse, Mimi�s Caf�, New York & Company, Off Broadway, Osh Kosh B'Gosh, Petco, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Talbots, The Children�s Place, Ulta, White House/Black Market and Yankee Candle. With the new commitments, The Avenue Murfreesboro's 660,000-square-foot Phase I is approximately 75 percent committed. "We are seeing tremendous retailer interest and leasing momentum continues to build as we move closer to opening this project. Reaching 75 percent committed six months prior to opening is an important milestone," said Darryl Bonner, senior vice president of leasing for Cousins' Retail Division. �The Cousins and Faison teams have put together an outstanding project.� "With these latest announcements and the very visible construction progress, central Tennessee shoppers can start to get an even better sense of the retailer mix and wonderful shopping environment that is coming to The Avenue Murfreesboro," said Mike Cohn, senior managing director with Faison. The Avenue Murfreesboro is the centerpiece of 400 acres of a new�master-planned�commercial development, planned by landowner C.M. "Bill" Gatton, along newly-opened�Medical Center Parkway, slated to include retail, office, hotel, convention center and public spaces. Medical Center Parkway connects the new Manson Pike interchange on I-24 with�the City of Murfreesboro's Gateway project, plans for which include the new 300-bed Middle Tennessee Medical Center along with medical and professional offices. The Avenue concept, introduced by Cousins Properties in 1998, has been extremely well received by consumers and retailers alike. In contrast to a mall, these open-air, pedestrian friendly centers appeal to the discriminating and often time-constrained shopper looking for premier national retailers, select local merchants and specialty restaurants in a convenient setting. Cousins Properties has opened four Avenues in the Atlanta area, one in suburban Memphis, one in suburban Los Angeles and one in Viera, Fla. For more information about The Avenue, please visit www.theavenuealist.com Faison Enterprises, Inc. is a privately-held development company with a diversified product portfolio that includes retail, commercial and residential project development, management and acquisitions services. With more than 40 years in the business and holdings of approximately $1 billion, including $600 million of new projects under development, the Charlotte NC based company manages and develops properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic and South and maintains regional offices in Bethesda MD, Washington DC, Charlotte NC, Atlanta GA, and Orlando, FL. For more information, visit www.faison.com Cousins Properties Incorporated, headquartered in Atlanta, has extensive experience in the real estate industry including the development, acquisition, financing, management and leasing of properties. The property types that Cousins actively invests in include office, multi-family, retail, industrial and land development projects. The Company�s portfolio consists of interests in 7.2 million square feet of office space, 4.7 million square feet of retail space, 2.0 million square feet of industrial space, 771 for-sale units in two under-development multi-family projects, 24 residential communities under development, over 9,000 acres of strategically located land tracts, and significant land holdings for development of single-family residential communities. The Company also provides leasing and management services to third-party investors; its client-services portfolio comprises 14.5 million square feet of office and retail space. The Company is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) that has been public since 1962 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol �CUZ.� For more information on the Company, please visit its Web site at www.cousinsproperties.com. Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, general and local economic conditions, local real estate conditions, the activity of others developing competitive projects, the risks associated with development projects (such as delay, cost overruns and leasing/sales risk of new properties), the cyclical nature of the real estate industry, the financial condition of existing tenants, interest rates, the Company�s ability to obtain favorable financing or zoning, environmental matters, the effects of terrorism, the ability of the Company to close properties under contract and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company�s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company�s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The words �believes�, �expects�, �anticipates�, �estimates� and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in any forward-looking statement are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and speak as of the date of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.