The History of Our Neighborhood
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Inspired by a vibrant, culturally rich upbringing in New Orleans, LA, Gene Kansas has established himself as a visionary champion of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, community building, and storytelling through the built environment. Each Gene Kansas project masterfully blends an appreciation of culture and history with creative, responsible, and vital refashioning, bringing new relevance to space and how it is used and enjoyed.
An award-winning historic preservationist and real estate developer, Gene leads with passion and purpose, combining bold, forward-thinking vision with a mindset of giving back. At Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate, a firm dedicated to culturally connecting people and place, Gene and team focus on building up history, not over it. Gene is also Founder of Constellations, "where stars come together to shine," a thoughtful and supportive, culturally based workspace in Atlanta's historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood focused on civic and social difference-making.
A distinguished writer, Gene is the author of "Civil Sights" (University of Georgia Press, February 2025), and has been published in the AJC, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and numerous other prestigious publications. As creator and host of award-winning Sidewalk Radio, Gene spent five compelling seasons exploring life in the modern city through the lens of history and the context of community on Atlanta's AM 1690 "Voice of the Arts." A passionate educator and speaker, Gene has guest lectured at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, University of Arizona, SCAD, The New School and other institutions, while regularly speaking for public and private organizations. Sharing knowledge and experience while learning with and from others remains central to his mission and approach.
Among his numerous accolades, Gene received the 2016 Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Award from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as the 2016 Alonzo F. Herndon Business Award from the South-View Historic Preservation Foundation, and multiple development of excellence awards from local, state, and national preservation and real estate organizations alike.
Gene holds a BS in Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in Digital Media from Georgia Tech, where he now serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Ivan Allen College. Married to DeAnna Kansas, the couple have a son, Levi, who adores the Atlanta Botanical Garden where Gene serves on the Board of Trustees.