JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Demolition has begun at the former food court inside Regency Square Mall, marking a major step in the redevelopment of the long-struggling Arlington shopping center.
The food court is part of the mall’s east wing, which the city approved for demolition in August. The section targeted for removal is between Impact Church and the former JCPenney building.
Watch a video of the demolition below.
Realco Recycling Co. Inc. is handling the demolition. The work is part of plans to transform the former mall property into The Nexus at Regency, a redevelopment led by Blackwater Development.
The first phase focuses on about 11 acres near Atlantic Boulevard and Monument Road. Plans call for new roads, sidewalks, utilities, landscaping and commercial outparcels intended for future restaurants, retail businesses, a bank and a gas station.
Demolition begins at Regency Square Mall’s food court. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
Demolition begins at Regency Square Mall’s food court. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
The former JCPenney building is expected to remain and be renovated for another use. Impact Church, which owns its building, is not part of the demolition. The mall’s west wing, including the closed Sears and Dillard’s Clearance Center, also is not included in the current phase.
Regency Square Mall opened in 1967 and expanded in the early 1980s. After years of declining occupancy and deferred maintenance, the property accumulated nearly $2 million in code enforcement fines under its previous ownership.
Blackwater purchased most of the 77-acre property for just over $19 million. The developer has said the redevelopment will bring new retail, restaurant and residential opportunities to the site.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.