Colorado's Mile-High metropolis has produced an extraordinarily large number of failed, regional-class shopping malls; fifteen at last count. Fourteen of these complexes are listed as follows, using their original names;

*CHERRY CREEK CENTER [1953-2025]
*UNIVERSITY HILLS CENTER [1951-1996]
*LAKESIDE CENTER [1956-2007]
*WESTMINSTER PLAZA [1959-1999]
*WESTLAND CENTER [1960-1993]
*CROSSROADS CENTER [1963-2004]
*BEAR VALLEY CENTER [1966-1998]
*VILLA ITALIA [1966-2001]
*NORTH VALLEY CENTER [1967-1995]
*CINDERELLA CITY [1968-1998]
*NORTHGLENN MALL [1968-1998]
*BUCKINGHAM SQUARE [1971-2007]
*SOUTHGLENN MALL [1974-2006]
*WESTMINSTER MALL [1977-2011]

All have either been completely demolished, or else torn down, leaving a portion -or portions- standing. One contender, NORTH VALLEY CENTER, is still intact, but the mall is no longer used in a retail capacity. THORNTON TOWN CENTER [1989-2004] was demalled into a power center. Its 1989 grand opening date places the complex outside our timeline focus. In order to be inducted into the Mall Hall of Fame, a shopping complex must have been dedicated between the years 1946 and 1979.

Amongst all of the commercial carnage, the first mall-type shopping hub in Denver -and Colorado- endured over the years. Originally known as CHERRY CREEK CENTER -and then CHERRY CREEK WEST- the open-air complex was completed between 1953 and 1956. It became part of the enclosed CHERRY CREEK CENTER mall in 1990.  

In the mid-2020s, the original CHERRY CREEK CENTER was still intact. It had not been drastically renovated and retained its original structural integrity. Unfortunately for posterity, plans were drawn up to demolish the historic structure and replace it with another (yawn) "vibrant mixed-use community." 

This will include leased office spaces, residential components and underground parking. If things go as planned, Phase 1 of the new and improved CHERRY CREEK WEST could be completed in 2029.