The St. Joe Co. has lined up a Publix Supermarket to anchor its Watersound West Center project in Panama City. Commercial Edge reports the grocery store will be the linchpin for the development, which will also include a mix of retail, restaurant, office and medical space, expected to amass 500,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

Adjacent to the future Publix store, St. Joe will construct an in-line retail space. St. Joe started work on the project in 2022. First move-ins are expected early next year.

Watersound West Bay Center is rising on 110 acres at 8435 W. Bay Parkway, at the entrance of the Latitude Margaritaville senior community.

The site is just west of State Road 79. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and downtown Panama City Beach are 7 miles away.