Brixmor Property Group confirmed the passing of James M. Taylor Jr., the company’s former Chief Executive Officer, on June 15, 2026.
Taylor led the New York-based real estate investment trust from 2016 through December 2025, retiring after nearly a decade at the helm of one of the country’s largest owners and operators of open-air shopping centers.
He is survived by his wife Alice and their two daughters, Gracie and Mary Lyle.
The news prompted an outpouring of remembrance from colleagues, board members, and industry peers who described Taylor as someone whose influence reached far beyond quarterly earnings and property acquisitions.
He was, by nearly every account, a leader who genuinely cared about the people around him and who brought that care into every decision he made.
Taylor stepped into the CEO role at a time when the retail real estate sector faced growing pressure from the rapid rise of online shopping. Traditional mall-based retailers were struggling, consumer habits were shifting, and many questioned whether brick-and-mortar shopping could hold its ground.
Rather than retreat, Taylor sharpened Brixmor’s focus. He doubled down on open-air shopping centers anchored by grocers, value-oriented retailers, and service businesses that could not be easily replicated online. The strategy worked.
Under his leadership, Brixmor grew into a nationally recognized portfolio spanning 344 shopping centers and roughly 62 million square feet of retail space across the United States.
Retail partners, including The TJX Companies, Kroger, Publix, and Ross Stores, became cornerstones of that portfolio, a testament to the relationships Taylor and his team cultivated over years of disciplined execution.
The Human Side of a Seasoned Executive
What colleagues remember most, however, is not the portfolio growth or the strategic pivots. It is the way Taylor made people feel.
Brian T. Finnegan, who succeeded Taylor as Brixmor’s Chief Executive Officer and President, spoke about a leader who had an uncommon ability to bring simplicity to complicated problems.
Taylor would often reach for a plain, well-chosen analogy that instantly connected with whoever was in the room. That quality made him effective not just in the boardroom but in everyday conversations with employees at every level of the organization.
Finnegan described Taylor as a mentor, a friend, and someone who led through humility rather than authority. He noted that even after stepping away from his role, Taylor stayed close to the company, continuing to root for the team he had spent years building and developing.
Sheryl M. Crosland, Chair of the Brixmor Board, drew on three decades of knowing Taylor personally and professionally.
She remembered a man who had a natural gift for making others feel seen and appreciated, someone who brought genuine warmth and humor into every interaction. She noted that Taylor spoke often and openly about his family, and that same pride and devotion shaped how he treated the people who worked alongside him.
Taylor’s passing closes a significant chapter for Brixmor and for the broader real estate community. The company he leaves behind is stronger for his leadership, and the people he mentored carry forward the values he modeled throughout his career.
