Aktins Real Estate & Construction was founded by Franklin "Hugh" Atkins and his wife, Netty, in 1958, after graduation from Clemson and Furman Univeristies, respectively. During 1961, Hugh served as a captain and company commander for the Army Corps of Engineers. He returned to add real estate brokerage and land development to the company repetroire. Since then, Atkins Real Estate & Construction has been involved in the development of more than 1600 quality residential sites. These include: Springfield, Ferndale, Oak Forest, Melody Forest, Riveredge, Woodwind I and II, Lakeridge, Shenandoah I and II, Carolina Country Club, Waterford, Watercrest, Mistybrook Townhomes, West Pointe, Rockport, Carmel, Cotton Creek Golf Course, and Morninglake.
F. Hugh Atkins, until his passing on January 30, 2015, was active in the professional, civic, and political growth of the Spartanburg area. Past accolaides included:
- Board of Visitors, Clemson University Trustee
- Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce Member
- Employee Relocation Council Past President of Spartanburg Board of Realtors
- Founding member and first president of Home Builders Association of Spartanburg
- Past President of Home Builders Association of South Carolina
- Former Chairman Spartanburg County Planning Commission
- Former Chairman Permanent Advisory Council, South Carolina State Development Board Realtor of the Year, 1974
- Builder of the Year, 1963, 1964, and 1992
- Housing Hall of Fame of South Carolina, First Inductee, 1995
- Received the Order of the Palmetto in 1995, South Carolina's highest honor
