Publix pays $223 million for seven Florida shopping centers

Naples/Fort Myers/Charlotte

Grocery growth: Publix Super Markets has bought a seven-property grocery-anchored real estate portfolio that includes a Fort Myers shopping center. The Lakeland grocery giant paid a combined $223.85 million for the properties. According to JLL Capital Markets, which announced the sale and represented seller PGIM Real Estate, the portfolio totals 608,314 square feet and is 97% occupied. The properties are spread out across the state, with two each in Davie and Kissimmee. JLL did not disclose the buyer but public records in each county where a sale was completed show it was Real Sub, an LLC belonging to the grocer. Publix officials did not respond to a request for comment or answer questions about its plans and if it had bought the entire center or just the stores that anchored it. The Fort Myers center, according to JLL, is Gladiolus Gateway at the intersection of Gladiolus Drive and McGregor Boulevard. According to Lee County public records, Publix paid $17.2 million for the property. PGIM is a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm. JLL’s senior managing director Danny Finkle, senior directors Eric Williams and Jorge Portela and vice president Kim Flores represent PGIM. 

The other six properties in the portfolio are: