Jacksonville-based Regency Centers announced Aug. 8 that it will relocate its headquarters from Downtown to The Village at Seven Pines, its retail development at southeast Butler Boulevard and Interstate 295.
A statement from the city indicates the move will be in 2028.
Regency Centers, a national owner, operator and developer of shopping centers, announced the move in a news release that also reported Publix Super Markets Inc. will anchor The Village at Seven Pines within the Seven Pines residential and commercial development.
“Integrating Regency’s office within a signature shopping center underscores the company’s belief in placemaking and community connectivity.” Regency Centers President and CEO Lisa Palmer said in the release.
“In our experience, embedding our people within best-in-class, flagship developments with thriving grocery anchors like Publix, strengthens their connection to the retailers and customers we serve – deepening their understanding of our core business and showcasing the property in action.”
Phil Perry, chief communications officer for the city of Jacksonville and Mayor Donna Deegan, issued a statement Aug. 8.
"We respect that Regency Centers has a unique, business-specific reason for their office move in 2028 and that these jobs are staying in Jacksonville. We also appreciate their continued support and advocacy for downtown," it said.
Regency Centers said in its release that the move will provide its employees “with hands-on visibility into and participation in daily operations, merchant relationships, and community connectivity, further exemplifying Regency’s role as an active stakeholder in the ongoing success of its developments.”
Regency Centers has 260 employees Downtown, where it occupies 55,000 square feet of space among three floors in the 37-story tower.
The new office will span three floors and integrate with the 182,000 square feet of retail space at The Village at Seven Pines that includes dining, health/wellness, soft goods and personal services, Regency said.
Regency Centers leases headquarters space in what had been Wells Fargo Center, now called 1 Independent Square, at 1 Independent Drive.
It said Lakeland-based Publix, as the centerpiece of the retail center, “brings a long-standing reputation for quality and community connection, aligned with Regency’s retail strategy and the broader vision of the Seven Pines community.”
Regency said it will buy the acreage for the development in the third quarter of 2025, start construction in the first quarter of 2026 and open the first retail stores in 2027.
Senior Communications Manager Eric Davidson said the headquarters building would open after the first retailers.
“We have enjoyed being a part of Downtown Jacksonville for decades and are excited about its continued growth,” Davidson said in an emailed statement.
“Many terrific groups and people are working to make it a destination once again, and we remain active supporters of these efforts. Our local leaders remain involved with the Downtown Investment Authority, Downtown Vision, ULI, JAXUSA, Leadership Jacksonville, YMCA, The United Way, First Coast Habitat for Humanity and other local organizations dedicated to making Northeast Florida a great place.”
Downtown Vision Inc. CEO Jake Gordon said Aug. 8 that Downtown advocates are actively trying to build up Downtown, especially to fill office space that has seen increased vacancy since the pandemic changed work practices.
Industry market reports show that office vacancy on the Downtown Northbank, the location of 1 Independent Square, was about 26% as of June 30, 2025.
Gordon noted that Regency Centers is a home-grown company that is evolving.
"The evolution of the business is they are putting their employees at their shopping centers," Gordon said.
Gordon said about 50,000 people work Downtown, and that Regency's employees will remain there until they move.
Perry said Downtown is seeing activity.
"Cranes are in the air. Downtown Jacksonville is igniting with the development of riverfront parks, the Stadium of the Future, Four Seasons, MOSH, the UF graduate campus, major mixed-use developments, and more."
He said the city is strategizing for Downtown development.
"We are constantly working with our business community partners to attract more companies to Jacksonville, including downtown. There are several significant projects in the pipeline for consideration that could bring capital investment and employees to downtown Jacksonville," he said in the statement.
"The explosive growth happening downtown gives us a great story to tell with these companies."