Who we are
North Star Development Group
The Firm
We are a family-run business rooted in the values of community and family inspiration. Our mission extends beyond development — we build opportunities, homes, and partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods and improve lives. Specializing in affordable housing projects, entitlement work, consulting, and flex industrial developments, we leverage our extensive experience to provide meaningful solutions that make a lasting impact.
Our company stands out for its innovative approach to real estate. We bring years of hands-on experience, extreme problem-solving capabilities, and deep industry insights that few others can match. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of entitlement or identifying creative financing options, we have the knowledge and tools to overcome challenges and deliver results.
Beyond business, North Star Development Group is committed to giving back. We engage in charitable work, support local causes, and share our expertise freely to empower others. Our passion for community shines through in everything we do — whether it’s mentoring future leaders, offering unique perspectives on real estate, or contributing to nonprofit initiatives.
With a focus on excellence and a heart for service, North Star Development Group is more than a development company — we’re a trusted partner in building better communities.
North Star works with developers using our expert local market knowledge and cutting edge demographic tools to identify and acquire the best available sites for projects incorporating new technologies mixed in with deep knowledge and experience – be it raw land or an existing underutilized property. We also give clients guidance regarding entitlement, due diligence, and environmental issues to navigate and streamline the closing process in local markets expanding our network of services.
SIMON “CHRIS” NORTH
Principal
Simon was born & raised in the UK. Growing up in the family Development firm, from a young age he was on a construction site, developing high end subdivisions, country cottages, vacational villas and office buildings. Being a vertically integrated company, gave him the opportunity to work and learn multiple facets of the trade from daily operations, acquisitions, site selection and data analysis to dispositions and community outreach.
Simon studied Mathematics, & Business Administration at Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge UK for A Levels. After graduating Simon obtained a license from the Imperial College London to translate Spanish-English specifically for the Oil industry and Development & Construction fields, working for large British firms in South America like Tavistock, Trident-Scott Holdings, and PDVSA on exploration projects and master planning developments later obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the Universidad Central de Venezuela while translating for Presidents and upper-echelon government officials. Simon then moved on to the US State Department and Foreign Service. For a little over a decade he travelled extensively, working in different countries & cultures on logistics, data analysis, border contracts and risk mitigation while earning the most prestigious DOS honors and merits for professionalism, dedication and problem solving across the globe.
Simon never steered away from Development or the Real Estate space, operating a number of investment companies, acquiring properties for long term strategies. With a natural gift for numbers and understanding patterns, Simon worked for years in multifamily acquisitions and site selection for ground up multifamily developments, with over 150 Million in transactions ranging from hotel conversions, ground-up developments, government procurement, land entitlements to brownfield cleanups for a French private Investment firm.
Eventually settling in Atlanta GA after years of working between the Georgia, Texas & Florida markets, Simon currently owns and operates North Star Development Group, the second US expansion of the North-Woodard family firm. North Star is currently working on a number of projects in the local market ranging from Land development and entitlements to/and for Affordable housing projects, Townhome subdivisions, Commercial retail development and flex industrial space. North Star is dedicated to providing much needed development space to Atlanta communities through local outreach programs and thoughtful planning based on data and facts for years to come. Simon fervently believes in community and the sense of community – Working closely with local charities and their own 501(c)(3) non-profits - Little Bear Foundation & NGYSA to engage personally and give back directly.
Simon is a devoted family man, proud father of four, and a husband who shares not only a loving marriage but also a thriving business partnership with his life partner and wife. Together, they are deeply passionate about creating positive change through their nonprofit businesses and are currently embarking on an exciting journey to open a dog shelter - Little Bear Foundation - a dream that reflects their commitment to both animal welfare and community service.
Their life revolves around togetherness, whether it’s in the daily operations of their businesses or in the joy of raising their children, whom they’ve already begun to involve in the family’s mission of giving back. Simon and his wife are firm believers in nurturing young minds through action, encouraging their kids to participate in their projects from an early age. It’s their hope that this hands-on approach will inspire their children to grow into compassionate, service-oriented leaders and mentors in their own right.
Faith is a cornerstone of Simon’s family life. They are actively involved in their local church, embracing a spirit of generosity and stewardship that extends to all facets of their lives. Whether through their nonprofit work or personal initiatives, they prioritize giving back to the community and empowering others along the way.
In their downtime, you’ll find Simon and his wife sharing a love of learning. Together, they explore new ideas and knowledge through books, always seeking ways to grow and enrich their lives. For them, every day is an opportunity to learn, live fully, and pass on these values to their children. At the heart of it all, Simon’s life is centered on family, stewardship and service—building a legacy of compassion, mentorship, and lasting impact.
