The estimated value of the contract wasn't disclosed in a prepared statement from Cousins.

But Thomas G. Cousins, the firm's chairman/CEO, acknowledges in the statement that TIAA has funded $249 million worth of Cousins Properties' projects over the past 40 years.

"One of the hallmarks of our success over the past four decades has been the ability to cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with key corporate customers," Cousins says. He calls TIAA "a tremendous partner."

The statement didn't disclose the current occupancy at the five-building, 2.1 million sf Concourse Corporate Center in north Atlanta's Perimeter business district near the Interstate 285 and GA 400 submarket.

Besides office, Concourse has a 371-room Westin Hotel; 80,000-sf Concourse Athletic Club; covered parking, restaurants, branch banking, retail and a childcare facility.

TIAA-CREF manages assets valued at $280 billion as one of the world's largest retirement systems. CREF is one of the nation's largest variable annuity providers.