A New Chapter for Regency Square Mall
For generations of Jacksonville residents, Regency Square Mall was more than a place to shop. It was where families gathered, teenagers spent their weekends and Jaguars fans lined up to purchase the team’s first official merchandise. Now, nearly 60 years after opening, the landmark property is entering a new chapter.
The City of Jacksonville issued a demolition permit on August 28 for the mall’s east wing, located between Impact Church and the former JCPenney. Approximately 371,000 square feet of the aging shopping center, including its foundations and concrete slab, will be removed.
Preparation for the redevelopment is already visible. Fencing and heavy equipment surround portions of the property, trees have been cleared and crews are installing stormwater infrastructure across the former parking lots.
Introducing The Nexus at Regency
Blackwater Development purchased the majority of the 77-acre property in 2025 for approximately $19.1 million. The company plans to redevelop and rebrand the site as The Nexus at Regency, creating a mixed-use destination with housing, restaurants, retail businesses and financial institutions.
The first phase will focus on the eastern side of the property and includes:
New roads, sidewalks and utilities
A roundabout at the mall’s main entrance
Updated landscaping and parking areas
New commercial outparcels along Arlington Expressway and Monument Road
Early plans identify several nationally recognized businesses, including Raising Cane’s, Chase Bank and Circle K.
What Will Remain?
Impact Church owns its portion of the property and will remain open during construction, although visitors may encounter temporary changes to traffic and access.
The former JCPenney building is also expected to remain and eventually be renovated for a new use. The west wing is still standing for now, while the former Sears building is separately owned and currently for sale. Dillard’s Clearance Center also remains open six days a week.
Remembering a Jacksonville Landmark
Regency Square Mall opened on March 2, 1967, and quickly became one of the region’s leading shopping destinations. At its peak, shoppers came from across Jacksonville, Southeast Georgia and surrounding areas to visit stores such as JCPenney, May-Cohens and Woolworth, or enjoy a meal at Piccadilly Cafeteria.
The west wing was added in the early 1980s, followed by additional expansion in the 1990s. Changing shopping habits and years of declining occupancy eventually left much of the property empty, with the final two interior tenants closing in May 2025.
Although longtime Jacksonville residents may feel nostalgic watching part of Regency disappear, the redevelopment represents a significant investment in the Arlington area. The Nexus at Regency could bring new homes, businesses, dining options and infrastructure to a property that once played a major role in the city’s growth.
Regency Square Mall as we knew it may be coming to an end, but the site’s story is far from over.
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