Riding the wave of success from leasing Krog Street Market and Underground Atlanta, two longtime Atlanta CRE pros are joining forces. George Banks and Kristi Rooks have just formed Revel, a niche mixed-use, retail leasing and consulting agency aiming to shuttle other retail and mixed-use projects into the 21st century.

George, most recently with Paces Properties, and Kristi—previously with WRS and Central Atlanta Progress—already are busy consulting on two projects, including the reposition of an apartment complex in North Carolina and the redevelopment and a fee development for a "unique and unusual" set of former warehouses in Castleberry Hill, George says. He declined to identify the specific project, but adds the project will be a cross between a hotel and apartments and have retail space. George says the two are looking at the potential for their own ground-up project as well.

"We just thought there was an opportunity," George tells us as to why they parted ways with established companies. But, the duo was already a sought-after commodity among developers, especially after George's contribution to the success of Krog Street (here).