Businesses flee Regency Square Mall without AC

[marcuscnelson]

Looks like Blackwater has finally closed the deal, with a rebrand: The Nexus at Regency.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/09/sold-regency-square-mall-becoming-the-nexus-at-regency/

[acme54321]

It will be interesting to see how they handle that church stuck in the middle of the property when (if) they actually redevelop.

[copperfiend]

I have very low expectations for his one. Looking at their website, Blackwater seems to only be building generic looking strip malls anchored by a grocery store and/or discount big box stores.

[jaxoNOLE]

The redevelopment plan includes multifamily residential communities, financial institutions and nationally recognized retail brands, the release said.

This sounds to me like predominantly generic suburban apartments with a few neighborhood support-type outparcels. They've already proposed a gas station and a Raising Cain's. Throw in a bank, maybe another fast food place, a nail and/or hair salon, a dry cleaner, a Dunkin (too many Starbucks close by, I think), and you're probably about finished.

It's been suggested here before that a Tapestry Park-like mixed use arrangement would be desirable, and I agree. But the current outparcel plan doesn't offer much encouragement.

Traffic is going to be a huge concern, as it's already quite busy over there despite the giant hole the Mall represents in its current state. Will JTA call this TOD because of the bus transfer station? 

[Charles Hunter]

Traffic is going to be a huge concern, as it's already quite busy over there despite the giant hole the Mall represents in its current state. Will JTA call this TOD because of the bus transfer station? 

Without a doubt. Probably take credit for the redevelopment even happening - despite the development being auto-centric.

[Jax_Developer]

Traffic is going to be a huge concern, as it's already quite busy over there despite the giant hole the Mall represents in its current state. Will JTA call this TOD because of the bus transfer station? 

Without a doubt. Probably take credit for the redevelopment even happening - despite the development being auto-centric.

"Welcome to another one of our new TOD initiatives - Regency Mall! We're so ahead of the game with TOD that we created ordinance codes & marketing videos for TOD's... All while having zero eligible TOD transit options - including downtown!"

- JTA if they were honest

[Charles Hunter]

Blackwater has filed permits to do infrastructure work for the "Nexus at Regency" redevelopment.  From the Jax Daily Record

Lake City-based Blackwater said it is submitting an application for civil engineering permits Sept. 18 with the initial phase focusing on the front 11 acres along Atlantic Boulevard and Monument Road.

Blackwater said the area is designed "to set the tone for the broader 77-acre project," which is at 9501 Arlington Expressway.

The permits encompass:

• Construction of new roads and infrastructure providing access to future outparcels.

• Installation of water, sewer and electric systems to service the outparcels.

• Development of a new roundabout at the main entrance to improve traffic flow and circulation around the property.

• Implementation of a landscaping plan "that will help bring freshness and vibrancy to the project from the very start."

...
Blackwater said the roundabout, a centerpiece of the infrastructure plan, is designed to enhance traffic efficiency and create "a welcoming gateway into the property."

It said the landscaping plan "will add greenery and life to the site, signaling to the Arlington community that meaningful change is already underway."

It looks like one of the first outparcels, adjacent to the main entrance, will be a Raising Cane's restaurant.

Blackwater Development said it looks forward to announcing the first wave of tenants when agreements are finalized.
...
City utility JEA issued a service availability determination letter April 30, 2025, for a 2,786-square-foot Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers fast-food restaurant on a 1.34-acre outparcel. It would have a double drive-thru and an outdoor patio.

The restaurant would seat 120 customers inside and out, up from 75 on a previous request in February.

A site plan indicates that Raising Cane's could be on Outparcel 1, which is at a main entrance into the mall.

The map shows the site is where Atlantic Boulevard meets the Arlington Expressway in the front of the Arlington mall.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/18/blackwater-development-advancing-to-first-phase-of-the-nexus-at-regency/

[copperfiend]

I can't help but think this is going to look like a mess. There's going to be an empty half of a mall left with a church, a Dillard's clearance store and an empty Sears located next to what's likely to be a generic suburban strip mall.

And it sounds like the Firestone on the SE corner will stay.

[thelakelander]

^It will probably be an eyesore for years. If I had to guess, that JCPenney store will end up being renovated into a self storage space, just like the old JCPenney store at Gateway.  A stick frame apartment will probably materialize at some point on the site of the East Mall. All of those outparcels will end up being more of what lines Atlantic, Beach, Southside and Blanding Boulevard. The big question is what will happen with the West Mall and Sears properties.

[acme54321]

If I had to guess, that JCPenney store will end up being renovated into a self storage space, just like the old JCPenney store at Gateway.  A stick frame apartment will probably materialize at some point on the site of the East Mall.

This is becoming really common for these old retail buildings surrounded by parking.  The old Sears in Melbourne was recently converted to self storage and they filled the parking lots with stick built apartments.

[copperfiend]

Can't wait to see the "Coming Soon" sign with stores like Marshall's, Ulta and a few chain restaurants.

How exciting.

[Charles Hunter]

Can't wait to see the "Coming Soon" sign with stores like Marshall's, Ulta and a few chain restaurants.

How exciting.

Don't forget Fudruckers

[Ken_FSU]

If I had to guess, that JCPenney store will end up being renovated into a self storage space, just like the old JCPenney store at Gateway.  A stick frame apartment will probably materialize at some point on the site of the East Mall.

This is becoming really common for these old retail buildings surrounded by parking.  The old Sears in Melbourne was recently converted to self storage and they filled the parking lots with stick built apartments.

Unrelated to Regency, but I'm super curious to see what the next evolution of the nearly abandoned Borders, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bye Bye Baby megaplaza on Southside near the Avenues becomes. It's been largely vacated for a while now.

[Charles Hunter]

Here's WJXT's rehash of the Daiiy Record article

Phase 1: Clearing the way for what's next

According to the submitted plans, the initial phase focuses on roughly 11 acres at the front of the property, along Atlantic Boulevard and Monument Road. The work will include:

Demolition of a large portion of the East Mall
Construction of new roads and sidewalks
Installation of water, sewer, and electric lines
A new roundabout at the mall's main entrance

    Landscaping and parking lot improvements

The seven outparcels, ranging from 1.1 to 2.25 acres, are designed for future retail, restaurant, or financial uses. While official tenant names have not yet been announced, preliminary utility filings suggest plans for a Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and a Circle K convenience store and gas station.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/09/25/iconic-regency-mall-sign-east-wing-face-demolition-in-first-phase-of-transformation/

[marcuscnelson]

If I had to guess, that JCPenney store will end up being renovated into a self storage space, just like the old JCPenney store at Gateway.  A stick frame apartment will probably materialize at some point on the site of the East Mall.

This is becoming really common for these old retail buildings surrounded by parking.  The old Sears in Melbourne was recently converted to self storage and they filled the parking lots with stick built apartments.

Unrelated to Regency, but I'm super curious to see what the next evolution of the nearly abandoned Borders, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bye Bye Baby megaplaza on Southside near the Avenues becomes. It's been largely vacated for a while now.

I would think more apartments, it basically runs right into where the new ones being developed on the mall property are.