CDH Partners concludes a year characterized by national rankings and big project wins. The firm’s momentum was solidified by its debut on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, ranking No. 72 in metro Atlanta and No. 233 in Georgia. Additionally, PSMJ Resources, Inc. recognized CDH Partners in its 2025 Circle of Excellence, placing the firm in the top 20% of best-managed architecture and engineering firms nationally. These achievements are further bolstered by the Atlanta Business Chronicle ranking the firm #22 on its Top Architecture Firms list, while CEO and President Melissa Cantrell was honored as a 2025 Georgia Titan 100 and named to the Georgia Trend 500.
Strategic Expansion and Diversity Milestones
Beyond the rankings, CDH Partners achieved a critical geographic milestone with the November ribbon-cutting of its new Savannah office. This move serves as a hub for the firm’s decade-long commitment to the coastal Georgia market.
The firm also successfully qualified for WBENC certification this year. While a larger celebration is planned for Women’s History Month in March, this designation formalizes CDH Partners’ status as a woman-owned business, reflecting a leadership team that is now over 60% female.
“Our growth this year is a direct reflection of our ‘people-first’ philosophy,” said Melissa Cantrell, CEO and president of CDH Partners. “By staying true to our mission of improving lives through design, we have not only expanded our footprint but also deepened our impact in the communities we serve.”
Market Highlights
The firm maintained equitable growth across its four core markets, ensuring every segment contributed to the year’s success through a balanced volume of high-profile wins and completions.
Healthcare: Award-Winning Care The healthcare studio received the First Place Build Georgia Award from the AGC GA for the NGPG Hall County Health Clinic and was named HomeTown Health’s Business Partner of the Year. Key wins for the year include Piedmont GME, Grady Estoria Urgent Care, and the Emory Glenn Building renovation, which includes an EmPATH emergency expansion that will be featured in a forthcoming case study. Notable completions include the Piedmont Ellijay FSED, the Union General Surgery expansion, the NGPG Flowery Branch MOB, and the NGHS Barrow PACU expansion and renovation.
Education: Future-Ready Learning Recently featured in Blueprint Magazine, the education studio continues to innovate under Cantrell’s leadership. The firm secured major wins for the Carrollton Early Learning Center and Killian Hill Christian School, focusing on environments that foster early development. The studio also celebrated the completion of the Bartow Esports facility, providing a state-of-the-art home for modern digital athletics.
Worship: Designing for Community CDH Partners remains a national leader in faith-based architecture, creating vibrant, multi-generational spaces for congregants. New project wins for 2025 include Stonecreek Church, First Pentecostal Church of Buford, and Church at Viera. The firm also reached a major milestone with the completion of the Mt Paran Youth Ministry Building, a space dedicated to the engagement and growth of the next generation.
Corporate & Community: Civic Impact The firm’s corporate and community work continues to drive economic development throughout the Southeast. Highlighting the year’s corporate wins is a major strategic partnership with Cobb EMC. On the community side, the firm finalized several key completions, including the Aero Center PDK aviation hub and the latest US Renal Care facility, which integrates critical clinical services into a commercial setting.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s ability to deliver excellence across such a broad range of markets,” Cantrell added. “Whether we are designing a rural urgent care center or a high-tech esports lab, we are committed to excellence that lasts for generations.”