Fort Collins' University Plaza   

The first mall-type complex developed by Indiana's Melvin Simon & Associates was built in the Colorado Front Range community of Fort Collins. Original stores at UNIVERSITY PLAZA opened for business between November 1963 and February 1965, with a mall-wide grand opening held in November 1964. 

Photo from Melvin Simon & Associates

The original PLAZA plan. Early Simon malls were often built in conjunction with Chicago's Montgomery Ward chain. In its original state, the Fort Collins shopping hub encompassed approximately 203,000 leasable square feet and contained spaces for twenty-eight stores and services. There was free parking for nearly 2,000 autos.

UNIVERSITY PLAZA TENANTS 1965:

MONTGOMERY WARD (with Snack Bar and attached Auto Center) / HESTEDS 5 & 10 (with William Tally Cafeteria) / KING SOOPERS supermarket (with bakery 7 pharmacy) / Collins Fabrics / Eaker's apparel / Enco service station (outparcel) / Fort Collins Insurance Agency / Holly's ladies' wear / Imports By Gilligues / Iris Salon of Beauty / Kinney Shoes / Mode O'Day Frock Shop / Plaza Barber Shop / Regal Shoes / Roley's Card Shop / Ron's TV / S & H Green Stamps Redemption Center / Sears Komac Paints / Supreme Cleaners / Tenneco service station (outparcel) / The Sutler men's wear / Three Sisters ladies' wear / Tiley Agency / University National Bank / Walgreen Drug (with Walgreen Grill) / Zale's Jewelers