Building in the South: A Q&A with Tim Larson and Kent Olson

The Southern United States is experiencing an unprecedented wave of corporate growth and talent migration. To meet the rising demand for efficient and innovative workplace solutions, Unispace is expanding its presence in the region.

We sat down with Tim Larson, CEO Americas, and Kent Olson, Managing Director of our new Southern Division. They discussed why we are investing heavily in this market right now, what sets cities like Raleigh and Dallas apart, and how our integrated approach to design and construction solves complex real estate challenges for our clients.

Here is what they had to say about the future of work in the South.

Why are we expanding in the South, and why now?

Tim: The South has reached a point where ambition is outpacing the partners available to deliver it, and that's the moment we look for as a firm. We don't enter markets to plant a flag. We enter when there's real work to do, and when we believe we can do it better than anyone else. That test is being met here in a way it wasn't five years ago. Bringing Kent on to lead the region was the other half of the equation. His conviction about how this work should be done was clear from our very first conversation, and that kind of alignment is rare.

Kent: Unispace has built one of the strongest track records I've seen for genuinely integrating strategy, design and build services into a single delivery model. After conversations with the senior leadership team, it was clear this was the right place to build the next chapter of my career. The timing matters too. The South is in a moment of sustained, structural growth, and the demand for partners who can deliver at pace without compromising on quality is only accelerating.

What does the Southern market look like from your perspective?

Tim: The opportunity in the South is significant, but it's part of a much broader commitment we're making across the Americas. We're expanding into the markets where the work is most ambitious, deepening our presence in the markets where we already operate, and building the capabilities our clients are asking us for. Southern clients in particular are facing real complexity. They're navigating fast growth, talent decisions, and long-term real estate strategy all at once, and they need partners who can hold all of those threads at the table together. That's the kind of work we do best, and it's the kind of work the South is generating right now.

Kent: What's happening in the South right now is a tale of two migrations. Top talent is moving here in significant numbers, drawn by lower cost of living, higher quality of life, shorter commutes, and the chance to live closer to their communities. Employers are following for their own reasons: lower operating and labor costs, pro-business tax and regulatory environments, access to growing talent pools, and proximity to expanding markets. Raleigh Metro alone is seeing net migration of more than 550 new residents per week, and North Carolina overall is adding more than 1,575 a week, among the highest rates in the country. Behind those numbers is a consistent ask from clients: move quickly, but deliver workplaces that genuinely fit their culture and brand.

The South is a massive region. How do you decide which markets matter most?

Tim: Our approach to growth is disciplined. We invest where we can do exceptional work. Raleigh meets that test today, and the demand we're seeing from clients in the region is real and immediate. But Raleigh is a beginning, not a destination. We're watching several Southern markets carefully, and as the right opportunities emerge, we'll continue to build out the region with the same discipline that's defined our growth elsewhere. Kent's deep understanding of local market dynamics will guide those expansion discussions.

Kent: Our approach is to add presence in high-growth markets where we can efficiently support clients across their portfolios. Raleigh is where we're starting, and for good reason. The Research Triangle is one of the most concentrated hubs of life sciences, technology, and research talent in the country, and the region is grappling with the kind of growth challenges that demand thoughtful workplace design and delivery partners. New corporate developments are reshaping the central business district, and clients are working through real questions about where to locate, how to attract talent from three distinct university pipelines, and how to align their real estate decisions with the communities their employees want to live in. Beyond Raleigh, Dallas is another market we're watching closely. The wave of corporate headquarters relocating from California has created a different kind of opportunity, where international and corporate clients need partners who understand both global delivery standards and local execution. Each market in the South has its own dynamic, and our job is to show up in the ones where we can have the biggest impact for clients.

How does our methodology translate to the Southern market?

Tim: Our methodology works anywhere because its core principles are universal. Design and construction sit at the same table from the very first conversation, aligned around one goal: delivering bold ideas with certainty. We overlap phases, compress timelines, and eliminate the handoffs that traditionally slow delivery. Fragmented delivery creates waste, miscommunication, and missed timelines, regardless of geography. What changes from market to market is how we apply it: the local relationships, the regulatory environment, the supply chain, the talent. That's why regional leadership matters so much. The methodology gives us consistency. Leaders like Kent give us the local fluency to apply it well. Our specialization and capabilities underpin everything we do, and the South will benefit from the same depth of expertise our clients have come to expect from us globally.

Kent: Where this methodology becomes especially powerful is in fast-moving markets like the South. Speed to market is consistently the top priority for clients here, and integrated delivery is the right answer to that ask. Bringing construction expertise into the process early eliminates the costly handoffs and mistakes that fragmented delivery models create, which means faster timelines and better-aligned outcomes without compromising on bespoke workplace design.

Looking ahead

Unispace's investment in the South is a reflection of our deep commitment to solving complex real estate challenges across the Americas. By blending global consistency with vital local expertise, we are positioned to help companies navigate the region's rapid expansion with confidence.

Kent Olson is actively building out the team, local partnerships, and physical presence that will define our footprint in this vital market. If your organization is planning a move or expansion in the South, we are ready to help you build an environment where your people can thrive. Connect with Kent on LinkedIn or reach out directly at kent.olson@unispace.com to start the conversation.