David Simon, the longtime chairman, chief executive officer and president of Simon Property Group, died March 22 at age 64 after battling cancer, the company said Monday, as the retail giant moves forward with a major redevelopment of International Plaza in Tampa.
Simon led the nation’s largest retail real estate investment trust for more than three decades, building a global portfolio of more than 250 properties and roughly 200 million square feet across North America, Europe and Asia.
The company’s board appointed Eli Simon, his son and current chief operating officer, as chief executive officer and president, effective immediately. Larry Glasscock was named non-executive chairman.
In Tampa, Simon Property Group operates International Plaza and Tampa Premium Outlets, giving the company a presence across both luxury mall and outlet formats as retail continues to evolve in the region.
The company announced in February that it plans to invest more than $250 million across three flagship properties, including International Plaza. The Tampa project includes a 50,000-square-foot open-air expansion, updates to Bay Street and interior upgrades designed to reposition the center as a more walkable, experience-driven destination. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
Simon joined the company’s predecessor in 1990 as chief financial officer after a career in investment banking. He led the company’s 1993 initial public offering, which raised nearly $1 billion, and became chief executive officer in 1995 at age 33.
Over the next three decades, he expanded the company through acquisitions including DeBartolo Realty Corporation, the Mills Corporation and Taubman Centers, while reshaping how retail properties operate. His focus on adding dining, entertainment and public gathering space helped shift malls toward mixed-use destinations that extend beyond traditional shopping.
That approach continues to guide projects like International Plaza, where design, tenant mix and public space are central to keeping high-performing assets competitive.
Under his leadership, Simon Property Group delivered more than 4,500% cumulative total shareholder return since its IPO, according to the company, while maintaining strong credit ratings through multiple market cycles, including the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Simon also served on the board of Apollo Global Management and previously chaired the supervisory board of Klépierre, a Paris-based retail real estate company.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie, five children and seven grandchildren.
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