Brixmor CEO James M. Taylor Jr. Dies, Leaves Behind Wife Alice and Daughters Gracie and Mary Lyle

The real estate world lost one of its most respected voices with the passing of James M. Taylor Jr., the former Chief Executive Officer of Brixmor Property Group.

The New York-based company announced the news on June 15, 2026, sharing condolences with his wife Alice, daughters Gracie and Mary Lyle, and the many colleagues and friends whose lives he shaped over a long and distinguished career.

Taylor led Brixmor from 2016 until his retirement in December 2025, a nearly decade-long run that saw the company evolve into one of the nation’s premier owners and operators of open-air shopping centers.

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What he built during that time went well beyond a stronger balance sheet or an expanded portfolio. He built a culture, a way of working together that colleagues say still defines Brixmor today.

His tenure came during one of the most turbulent stretches in retail real estate history. E-commerce was reshaping how Americans shopped, national retail chains were closing locations at a rapid pace, and the question of whether physical retail could survive became a constant conversation in business media.

Taylor helped steer Brixmor through that uncertainty with focus and discipline, sharpening the company’s strategy around open-air centers anchored by grocery stores, value retailers, and service-based tenants. That positioning proved durable and rewarding for the company and its investors.

Today, Brixmor owns and manages 344 open-air shopping centers covering approximately 62 million square feet of retail space across the United States. Partners include major national brands such as The TJX Companies, Kroger, Publix, and Ross Stores, a portfolio built on the foundation Taylor helped establish.

A Leader Who Put People at the Center of Every Decision

Those who worked alongside Taylor consistently point to something beyond his business instincts. They describe a man who made people feel genuinely valued, who led with warmth rather than distance, and who never let success come at the cost of integrity.

Brian T. Finnegan, who now serves as Brixmor’s Chief Executive Officer and President, reflected on what made Taylor stand out as a leader.

He noted that Taylor had a rare ability to simplify complex situations, often using memorable analogies that connected with people at every level of the organization. Even after stepping down, Taylor remained invested in the company’s direction and continued to cheer on the team he had spent years building.

Finnegan also spoke of Taylor as a trusted mentor and a genuine friend, someone who grounded his leadership in humility and empathy. That reputation extended across the broader real estate community.

Sheryl M. Crosland, Chair of the Brixmor Board, noted that she had known Taylor for 30 years in the industry and had always admired his ability to bring authenticity and humor to every relationship.

She described him as someone who treated the Brixmor team like a second family and who never lost sight of what mattered most: the people around him.

Taylor’s family was clearly central to who he was. Colleagues frequently noted how openly he expressed pride in his wife and daughters, and how that devotion to family translated into the way he managed and mentored others throughout his career.

A Legacy That Will Last

The real estate industry has seen many talented executives come and go. What separated Taylor was not just his track record or his strategic thinking, but the lasting impression he left on everyone he encountered.

His legacy lives not only in the properties Brixmor operates or the returns it has delivered, but in the careers he helped shape and the example he set for what good leadership actually looks like.

He will be greatly missed.