Steven DeFrancis
Chief Executive Officer
Cortland Partners

Steven DeFrancis is the Founder and CEO of Cortland Partners. He has more than 20 years of experience in complex multifamily development and management, specializing in unique development and value-add opportunities.

Steven founded the company in 2005 as a development firm focused on in-town, mixed-use, multifamily developments. Today, the company has expanded into a full-service, multifamily investment, management, and development firm that houses its own product design, product manufacturing, property management, and construction management. Through its unique approach to the renovation process, Cortland Partners is now the industry’s sole institutionally scaled, value-add platform.

To date, Steven and his team manage a portfolio in excess of $7.6 billion of multifamily assets located in twelve states, primarily throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and Texas. The company employs over 1,800 associates and owns and manages over 45,000 apartment homes. Cortland Partners has been recognized as a National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Top 50 Owner and Manager and one of Atlanta’s “Top 25 Largest Workplaces.”

Throughout his career, Steven has specialized in multifamily development specific to neighborhood revitalization and positive economic growth. Upon graduating from college, Steven served as President and Owner of Capitol Realty, a family-owned real estate brokerage and property management firm located in Atlanta. In 1995, Steven co-founded Capitol Development Group, whose focus was the development of workforce multifamily properties in Georgia and Florida. He went on to develop over
5,000 apartment homes utilizing various affordable housing programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. His dedicated efforts took what began as a neighborhood property management company to a half billion dollar investment, development, and asset management company.

Steven earned his bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. He is a member of the Buckhead Coalition and serves on the board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership.

Steven resides in Atlanta with his wife and two children, Kennon and Jack.