David Simon, Visionary Chairman and CEO of Simon Property Group, Dies at 64

Retail real estate titan David Simon has passed away. His son Eli Simon takes the helm of the $60B REIT as the industry mourns a "once-in-a-generation" leader.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 11:59 AM EDT

Source: Bisnow

A Legacy of Strategic Expansion

David Simon’s tenure was defined by a relentless drive for scale and quality. After joining the firm as CFO in 1990 and becoming CEO in 1995, he orchestrated a series of high-stakes acquisitions that redefined the retail landscape:

Major M&A: He led the absorption of industry giants including DeBartolo Realty Corp., Chelsea Property Group (the Premium Outlets architect), and The Mills Corp.

The Taubman Acquisition: Most recently, he finalized the full acquisition of Taubman Realty Group, a move that added premier upscale assets to the portfolio at a significant post-pandemic discount.

Global Footprint: Today, the company’s portfolio encompasses 350 properties and 200 million square feet of prime retail space.

Innovation Amid Disruption