Jacksonville-based Regency Centers Corp. was already one of the biggest operators of grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers, with more than 400 properties across the country.
However, Regency expanded its presence in the Northeast with its $1.4 billion acquisition in August of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc.
The deal added 77 more properties, mainly grocery-anchored shopping centers in the New York metropolitan area.
Regency’s biggest concentrations of properties were in Florida and California, but the addition of Urstadt Biddle’s portfolio makes the Northeast one of its biggest markets. Regency CEO Lisa Palmer said when the deal was announced that it helps the company diversify its portfolio across the U.S.
Palmer also said the all-stock deal may have been a bargain for Regency, because both companies were trading at a discount to their net asset values before the buyout was announced.
Here is a look at some of the biggest deals and people who made headlines in 2023.
Top Deals:
Cosentino Group plans $270 million first phase of manufacturing plant. Story here
Phoenix Arts & Innovation District launches in New Springfield. Story here
Blackwater Development says it has Regency Square Mall deal. Story here
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club wins approval to start expansion, renovations. Story here
ICE finalizes its $11.9 billion acquisition of Black Knight Inc. Story here
‘Stadium of the Future’ plans are unveiled by the Jaguars. Story here
Gateway Jax plans $500 million Downtown project in NorthCore. Story here
Aldi buying Winn-Dixie, Harveys parent Southeastern Grocers. Story here
Top Newsmakers:
Donna Deegan makes history as Jacksonville’s first female mayor. Story here
Bryan Moll poised to help revitalize Downtown with Gateway Jax. Story here
Nick Allard guides JU College of Law toward new Downtown campus. Story here
Aundra Wallace an assured but low-key leader in region’s growth. Story here
Suzanne Pickett: Advocate for city’s Historic Eastside. Story here
Obituaries of 2023:
Activist and community advocate Ben Frazier. Story here
Beaver Street Fisheries Chairman Hans ‘Harry’ Frisch. Story here
Civic leader and insurance executive Marvin Cecil 'Ceree' Harden III. Story here