An Atlanta-based multi-family real estate specialist has purchased a $154 million portfolio of properties in a deal that makes it one of the largest private apartment owners in the metro area.

Cortland Partners announced Tuesday the move to buy properties in Dallas, Houston and Jacksonville, which will increase the firm’s real estate holdings by 20 percent.

The firm’s chief executive, Steven DeFrancis, said the deal marks the firm’s first foray into Florida and will triple its presence in Texas. Cortland Partners now has more than 10,000 units across the region.

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A man makes a phone call in front of a train during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern opened its executive vintage business train, typically reserved for company leadership and dignitaries, to the public in support of Hope Atlanta. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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Rose Scott signals as "Closer Look" goes on the air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray for the AJC 2023)

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