

                                                                EXHIBIT 23(a)









                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS











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







                                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP










Atlanta, Georgia
March 28, 1996




