Pete Jolly, co-founder of Jolly Development and The Providence Group, talks to Newcomer about his more than 40 years in real estate and what contributes to the success of his companies. Having worked in sales and marketing, building, and land planning and development, Jolly, a lifelong resident of Atlanta, is one of the most highly respected professionals in the real estate industry.

What prompted you to establish Jolly Development and The Providence Group?

My real estate career began in 1965 when I joined Bonner Realty, the sales arm of Cousins Properties. My initial responsibilities included sales management and marketing for both speculative homes and developed lots. While I was with the company, Cousins/Bonner quickly became the largest residential development/ sales organization in the Metro Atlanta area. As my responsibilities with the company expanded, my interests became more focused on land planning and development, which helped launch the next phase of my real estate career.

After my son Warren graduated from college in 1987, we formed Jolly Development. Our efforts originally focused on land acquisition and development, with the sale of lots to local and national builders, but we later ventured into home building.

We enjoyed successful sales and referrals and eventually evolved into successful new home builders. However, in the mid-1990s, we decided to refocus our energy and concentrate more on the development side of the business. Eventually, Jolly Development became known as the company that enjoyed working on projects that required much more planning and creative problem solving.

When demand increased for our expertise in new home construction, we made the decision to begin building again. The Providence Group was formed and partnered with Jolly Development, forming The Jolly Companies.

What services do your companies offer to clients?

When developing land, Jolly Development has earned a reputation as a company that works as a team with all of its partners, including the real estate industry, the community, builders, landowners and homeowners.

From the home building side, The Providence Group offers its clients a unique relationship between builder and developer. Because of the strong developer-builder relationship that the two entities share, Jolly Development and The Providence Group are able to consistently stay on top of new home trends, design and materials, and they are able to create desired products in a unique, attractive way.

What are the keys to the success of your companies?

Today, we are still committed to our founding philosophy of a strong commitment to teamwork and acknowledgment of the perspectives of others. Last year, we celebrated our Silver Anniversary, which speaks volumes about our company. As the industry has evolved, we have been able to successfully change with the times. We build a wide variety of products to suit individual buyers, including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. We also incorporate only the finest building materials and features into our homes.

What do you consider to be one of your greatest achievements?

Jolly Development and The Providence Group have become known as two of the most respected entrepreneurial real estate development companies in Metro Atlanta. Business at Jolly Development has always been about relationships first—establishing a foundation of trust and friendship while building profitable ventures that also benefit the whole community. Since its inception, I have aspired to provide unique environments that are carefully planned, developed and constructed with an eye toward the future.