EXHIBIT 23(a)

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As   independent   public   accountants,   we  hereby  consent  to  the
incorporation  of our reports  included in and incorporated by reference in this
Form 10-K, into Cousins Properties  Incorporated's previously filed Registration
Statements  File  No.  33-41927,  33-56787,  33-60350,   333-48841,   333-42007,
333-12031, 333-67887, 333-92089 and 333-46676.

                                                 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP










Atlanta, Georgia
March 23, 2001