FOLEY & LARDNER ATTORNEYS AT LAW BRUSSELS POST OFFICE BOX 240 ORLANDO CHICAGO JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32201-0240 SACRAMENTO DENVER THE GREENLEAF BUILDING SAN DIEGO DETROIT 200 LAURA STREET SAN FRANCISCO JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202-3510 TALLAHASSEE LOS ANGELES TELEPHONE (904) 359-2000 TAMPA MADISON FACSIMILE (904) 359-8700 WASHINGTON, D.C. MILWAUKEE WEST PALM BEACH May 7, 2001 Regency Centers, L.P. 121 West Forsyth Street Suite 200 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 Gentlemen: This opinion is being furnished in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (333-58966) of Regency Centers, L.P. (the "Issuer") and Regency Centers Corporation, as guarantor ("Regency"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for the proposed issuance from time to time of an aggregate of (a) $600,000,000 principal amount of debt securities of the Issuer (the "Notes") and (b) the guarantee of Regency with respect to the Notes (the "Guarantees"), to be issued against payment therefor. In connection with the issuance of such securities, we have examined and are familiar with: (a) the agreements of limited partnership of the Issuer, as presently in effect, (b) the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Regency, as presently in effect, (c) the proceedings of and actions taken by the Board of Directors of Regency, as general partner of the Issuer, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, including establishing a committee to determine the terms of the Notes from time to time (the "Pricing Committee"), (d) the proceedings of and actions taken by the Board of Directors of Regency, on its own behalf, in connection with the issuance of the Guarantees, including authorizing the Pricing Committee to determine the terms of the Guarantees from time to time, (e) the form of indenture among the Issuer, Regency and First Union National Bank, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4 to the Registration Statement (the "Indenture") and (f) such other records, certificates and documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. 1. Upon approval of the terms of the Notes by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Indenture, the Notes will be duly authorized, and when duly Regency Centers, L.P. May 7, 2001 Page 2 executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, equitable subordination, fair dealing, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles. 2. Upon approval of the terms of the Guarantees by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Indenture, the Guarantees will be duly authorized, and when duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and when the Notes have been issued and authenticated, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of Regency enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, equitable subordination, fair dealing, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion letter if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof. We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5 in said Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus and any supplements thereto. In giving this consent we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. Sincerely, FOLEY & LARDNER By: /s/ Linda Y. Kelso --------------------------------------