P
ublix has recently expanded its real estate portfolio in South Florida by acquiring two Palm Beach retail properties for a total of $67 million. These properties are part of a larger $224 million purchase of seven shopping center portfolios across Florida, which includes two other sites in Davie for a total of $83 million. The three other sites are located in Fort Myers and Kissimmee, and all seven properties are anchored by Publix stores.

    The Lakeland-based grocery chain paid $46 million for Woods Walk Plaza at 9855 Lake Worth Road in Lake Worth Beach, while Crestwood Square at 11935 Southern Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach was purchased for $21 million, according to records and real estate database Vizzda.

    Woods Walk Plaza is a two-building complex spanning 115,294 square feet on 15 acres of land, completed in both 1992 and 2007. The tenant roster includes Renal Care Centers, Brooklyn Water Bagels, Core Evolution, Subway, and Supercuts.

    Crestwood Square is a single-story building covering 79,746 square feet on 10 acres of land, built in 1997. The tenant roster includes Carvel Ice Cream, Duffy’s Sports Grill, and Hair Cuttery.

    Publix-anchored shopping centers are highly sought-after even when they are not for sale. This week, Arlington, Virginia-based AvalonBay Communities paid $16.5 million for a multifamily development site next to another Publix-anchored shopping center in Lake Worth Beach. The real estate investment trust is planning to build Northlake Promenade Apartments, a seven-story building with 279 units.