Investment Matters: Flair for Open-Air Centers

On Jan. 1, 2026, Jim Taylor will retire as CEO of Brixmor Property Group after a decade at the retail REIT’s helm. In this conversation, recorded before his retirement was announced this fall, Taylor reflects on his long and eclectic journey in the industry. Over the past couple of decades, he’s traveled what he jokingly describes as “a checkered path” that ultimately led to the C-suite at Brixmor.

Before becoming a real estate executive, he was an accountant, earned a law degree and worked as an investment banker. Taylor’s service to the industry also includes leadership roles in several industry organizations. He’s been a member of Nareit’s executive board and was the 2024 chairman of ICSC.

During his decade as Brixmor’s CEO, Taylor has overseen an extensive program of reinvestment in the REIT’s 354-property, 63 million-square-foot portfolio of open-air centers. As of the third quarter this year, Brixmor’s pipeline of property upgrades encompassed $375 million worth of enhancements across 35 properties.

In this conversation, Taylor discusses the factors that are driving growth for open-air centers, how the capital markets view the asset category, Brixmor’s strategy of reinvestment and more. Take a listen.

Episode highlights:

• (1:47) A “checkered path” to the REIT C-suite
• (4:44) The No. 1 factor in company success
• (6:01) Topline trends in open-air centers
• (7:27) Brixmor’s investment strategy
• (9:43) Adding value: works in progress
• (11:37) Disciplined capital allocation
• (13:00) Creating critical portfolio mass
• (14:44) An “unprecedented breadth” of tenant demand
• (16:18) Why it’s competitive out there for assets
• (18:37) Lenders open the gates
• (19:29) Growth trajectory: 2026 and beyond

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