Exhibit (23)


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
333-109769  and  333-29159) on Form S-3 and the  registration  statements  (Nos.
33-60909,  333-91405,  333-51666  and  333-117308)  on  Form  S-8  of  EastGroup
Properties,  Inc.  of our  reports  dated March 11,  2005,  with  respect to the
consolidated  balance  sheets of EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. as of December 31,
2004 and 2003,  and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in
stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 2004, and all related financial  statement  schedules,
management's  assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2004 and the  effectivness of internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 which reports appear in the December
31, 2004 annual report on Form 10-K of EastGroup Properties, Inc.

Jackson, Mississippi                              KPMG LLP
March 11, 2005