Arlington Expressway and Monument Road
Duval County (Jacksonville), Florida
Jacksonville's first fully-enclosed shopping center was officially dedicated on March 2, 1967. The 12 million dollar complex was developed by Martin and Joan Stein, under the auspices of the Jacksonville-based Regency Group, and was designed by Atlanta's Toombs, Amisano & Wells firm.
REGENCY SQUARE, a 670,000 square foot shopping venue, was built on a 123-acre site. This was located 7 miles east of downtown Jacksonville in a section of unincorporated Duval County known as Arlington. The anchors of the single-level complex were a 2-level (115,900 square foot), Jacksonville-based May-Cohens and 2-level (188,800 square foot) J.C. Penney.
Among sixty charter tenants were Russell Stover Candies, Thom McAn Shoes, World Bazaar, Levy's, National Shirt Shops, Furchgott's ["fursh-gots"] of Florida, Castro Convertibles, Lerner Shops and an F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10. A 1-level (30,000 square foot) Ivey's of Jacksonville operated as a boutique-type store.
On the mall's southwestern periphery was a freestanding Convenience Center, which housed a Colonial Stores (later Winn-Dixie) supermarket. The ABC Florida State Regency Theatre, a single-screen Cinerama venue, was built as a northeastern outparcel. It showed a first feature on January 18, 1968. The auditorium was divided in early 1974, with the theater's name changed to the Regency Twin. It would be in operation, as a twin cinema, until 1989.
At the time of its 1967 grand opening, REGENCY SQUARE was in unincorporated Duval County. A metro consolidation election was held in August 1967, whereby Jacksonville and the entire county (save for four previously-existing cities) would become a single political jurisdiction. The referendum passed and in October 1968, REGENCY SQUARE was absorbed into the corporate limits of Jacksonville.
Major shopping hubs in the REGENCY SQUARE trade area included PHILLIPS HIGHWAY PLAZA (1960) {5 miles southwest, in Jacksonville} and GATEWAY CENTER (1958) {7 miles northwest, in Jacksonville}.
A 35 million dollar expansion of REGENCY SQUARE got underway in 1979. The outparcel Convenience Center was demolished to make way for a 500,000 square foot West Wing. May-Cohens was enlarged into a 147,000 square foot operation. It became a walk-thru anchor, connecting the original mall with the new addition.
Ivey's relocated into a new 2-level (115,000 square foot) store and Sears built a 2-level (216,700 square foot) unit. Furchgott's moved across the mallway, into the old Ivey's space. The mall was re-dedicated in March 1981. It now spanned approximately 1,170,000 leasable square feet and contained 160 retail spaces.
Stores new to the complex included The Limited, Swensen's Ice Cream Parlor, The Body Shop ladies' wear, J. Riggings, Houlihan's restaurant and 6-bay The Commons Food Court. The American Multi-Cinema Regency Mall 6, an in-mall multiplex, showed first features on October 10, 1982.
Anchor rebrandings began in September 1987, when May-Cohens became a May Company Florida. Baton Rouge-based Maison Blanche took over the store in July 1988. In early 1992, it became a Mobile-based Gayfers. Meanwhile, Ivey's had been rebranded by Dillard's on June 4, 1990.
Anchor rebrandings began in September 1987, when May-Cohens became a May Company Florida. Baton Rouge-based Maison Blanche took over the store in July 1988. In early 1992, it became a Mobile-based Gayfers. Meanwhile, Ivey's had been rebranded by Dillard's on June 4, 1990.
The third theatrical venue to operate at the mall, the freestanding
American Multi-Cinema Regency Square 8, was built in its northwestern
periphery. First features were shown on July 19, 1991. A second expansion of REGENCY SQUARE was completed in 1992. Dillard's moved into a new 2-level (188,300 square foot) store and 27,600 square feet of inline store space was added to the mall. Montgomery Ward assumed the original Dillard's space.
In June 1997, a second expansion of May-Cohens (now Gayfers) got underway. As work was progressing, Charlotte-based Belk bought the store. They completed the remodeling with elegant marble tile and wood fixtures. The REGENCY SQUARE Belk, dedicated in October 1998, encompassed 180,000 square feet.
In August 1997, the mall's proprietor, Dallas-based MEPC American Properties, started a two-stage mall renovation. During Phase One, new signage, lighting, and exterior landscaping were installed. A new palm leaf logo was also created. These projects were completed in the spring of 1997. The second phase remodeling got underway in September 1998. The original culinary complex was enlarged into the 11-bay Beach Cafe Food Court.
In June 1997, a second expansion of May-Cohens (now Gayfers) got underway. As work was progressing, Charlotte-based Belk bought the store. They completed the remodeling with elegant marble tile and wood fixtures. The REGENCY SQUARE Belk, dedicated in October 1998, encompassed 180,000 square feet.
In August 1997, the mall's proprietor, Dallas-based MEPC American Properties, started a two-stage mall renovation. During Phase One, new signage, lighting, and exterior landscaping were installed. A new palm leaf logo was also created. These projects were completed in the spring of 1997. The second phase remodeling got underway in September 1998. The original culinary complex was enlarged into the 11-bay Beach Cafe Food Court.
The theater located northwest of the mall was expanded and renamed as the American Multi-Cinema Regency 24. The facility was re-dedicated on March 19, 1999. Meanwhile, in April 1998, Chicago-based General Growth Properties acquired the holdings of Dallas-based MEPC American Properties, with REGENCY SQUARE being added to the GGP portfolio. GGP ended up completing the second phase of the mall renovation in the fall of 1999.
The early months of 2001 saw the shuttering of Montgomery Ward and continuation of mall renovations. The food court moved to adjacent area, with a small addition built. Now promoted as the Gallery Food Court, the 10-bay facility was dedicated on October 11, 2001. In November, a renovated Center Court was christened. REGENCY SQUARE now enveloped approximately 1,386,900 leasable square feet.
By this time, several new shopping complexes had been built in the REGENCY SQUARE trade area. These included THE AVENUES (1990) {9.3 miles south, in Jacksonville}, ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER (2005) {4.5 miles southeast, also in Jacksonville} and KENDALL TOWN CENTER (2005) {immediately north of REGENCY SQUARE}.
Things went well for a while as REGENCY SQUARE appeared to be persevering. However, The Great Recession resulted in the shutterings of key tenants such as Old Navy, Lane Bryant and Charlotte Russe. Mom & pop-type retailers leased some of the vacancies, but the West Wing was soon filled with empty store spaces. Dillard's was demoted to a Clearance Center in April 2008.
The Ivey's-Ward's building, vacant for over 10 years, sprang to life on September 3, 2011. Amazing Consignments, reputedly the nation's largest second-hand retail operation, opened in the store's lower level. By 2013, the store was no longer listed on the mall's website.
General Growth Properties sold REGENCY SQUARE in February 2014. A joint venture of Great Neck, New York's Mason Asset Management and Namdar Realty Group acquired the struggling shopping hub at a rock bottom price. The new owners relocated the few remaining West Wing tenants into the East Wing.
Meanwhile, two anchor stores pulled up stakes. Belk went dark on February 11, 2015, followed by Sears, on July 17, 2016. The Belk building was purchased by Impact Church, who renovated the structure and moved into the mall in July 2016.
International Decor Outlet, a collection of home decor and home improvement retailers, was to fill vacant West Wing space. Three stores opened on April 6, 2017; Aroyal Lighting, Expo Terra Trading Company and Oceanside Patio Furniture. In March, plans had been announced for Asian Town, an oriental-themed grouping of restaurants and boutiques.
The full implementation of the IDO and Asian Town was hindered by the deteriorating condition of the mall, which was plagued by leaky roofs and a malfunctioning air-conditioning system. The IDO and Asian Town enterprises were defunct by October 2017. J.C. Penney, a charter 1967 anchor, shuttered their REGENCY SQUARE store on October 18, 2020. In late 2024, there were twenty-nine operational mall stores.
The early months of 2001 saw the shuttering of Montgomery Ward and continuation of mall renovations. The food court moved to adjacent area, with a small addition built. Now promoted as the Gallery Food Court, the 10-bay facility was dedicated on October 11, 2001. In November, a renovated Center Court was christened. REGENCY SQUARE now enveloped approximately 1,386,900 leasable square feet.
By this time, several new shopping complexes had been built in the REGENCY SQUARE trade area. These included THE AVENUES (1990) {9.3 miles south, in Jacksonville}, ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER (2005) {4.5 miles southeast, also in Jacksonville} and KENDALL TOWN CENTER (2005) {immediately north of REGENCY SQUARE}.
Things went well for a while as REGENCY SQUARE appeared to be persevering. However, The Great Recession resulted in the shutterings of key tenants such as Old Navy, Lane Bryant and Charlotte Russe. Mom & pop-type retailers leased some of the vacancies, but the West Wing was soon filled with empty store spaces. Dillard's was demoted to a Clearance Center in April 2008.
The Ivey's-Ward's building, vacant for over 10 years, sprang to life on September 3, 2011. Amazing Consignments, reputedly the nation's largest second-hand retail operation, opened in the store's lower level. By 2013, the store was no longer listed on the mall's website.
General Growth Properties sold REGENCY SQUARE in February 2014. A joint venture of Great Neck, New York's Mason Asset Management and Namdar Realty Group acquired the struggling shopping hub at a rock bottom price. The new owners relocated the few remaining West Wing tenants into the East Wing.
Meanwhile, two anchor stores pulled up stakes. Belk went dark on February 11, 2015, followed by Sears, on July 17, 2016. The Belk building was purchased by Impact Church, who renovated the structure and moved into the mall in July 2016.
International Decor Outlet, a collection of home decor and home improvement retailers, was to fill vacant West Wing space. Three stores opened on April 6, 2017; Aroyal Lighting, Expo Terra Trading Company and Oceanside Patio Furniture. In March, plans had been announced for Asian Town, an oriental-themed grouping of restaurants and boutiques.
The full implementation of the IDO and Asian Town was hindered by the deteriorating condition of the mall, which was plagued by leaky roofs and a malfunctioning air-conditioning system. The IDO and Asian Town enterprises were defunct by October 2017. J.C. Penney, a charter 1967 anchor, shuttered their REGENCY SQUARE store on October 18, 2020. In late 2024, there were twenty-nine operational mall stores.
REGENCY SQUARE was acquired by Salt Lake City-based Blackwater Development in April 2025. The moribund mall was shuttered on June 1, 2025. It was demolished, leaving the Dillard's Clearance Center, Impact Church and Sears buildings standing. These are being worked into THE NEXUS AT REGENCY, a mixed-use retail and residential facility.
Sources:
The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida)
The Jacksonville Daily News
http://www.bizjournals.com
http://www.jacksonville.com
http://www.metrojacksonville.com
http://www.mepcamerican.com
http://www.historicaltextarchive.com
http://www.coj.net / Jacksonville-Duval County, Florida
Sources:
The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida)
The Jacksonville Daily News
http://www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
http://www.referenceforbusiness.comhttp://www.bizjournals.com
http://www.jacksonville.com
http://www.metrojacksonville.com
http://www.mepcamerican.com
http://www.historicaltextarchive.com
http://www.coj.net / Jacksonville-Duval County, Florida
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Malls of America Blogspot, Keith Milford webmaster
Malls of America Blogspot, Keith Milford webmaster
https://namdarrealtygroup.com / Namdar Realty Group
https://www.xerare.com / Xera Realty, Incorporated
