Simon Property Group is a real estate investment trust (REIT) engaged in the ownership, development and management of income-producing properties, primarily regional malls and community shopping centres. The company is the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America and, as at 30 June 2003, owned or held an interest in 238 properties containing an aggregate of 183m square feet of gross leasable area in 36 states. The group also owns interests in other real estate assets in Europe and Canada.