A History of Westminster Mall (click here to view our timeline)
The Westminster Mall has been an important part of people's lives for more than twenty-three (as of 2001) years. In fact, a lot of kids who practically grew up at the Mall are now bringing their own kids there.
Since opening in 1977, Westminster Mall has provided the northwest Denver area with more than just a place to shop. It has become kind of a town center, where children of all ages can gather for entertainment and activities year round in a safe, family friendly environment. (Read such a story by clicking here.)
Over time, the Mall has grown into the second largest shopping center in the Denver area, and the only mall in Colorado to feature six anchor stores - Macy's, Sears, J.C. Penny, Mervyn's, Montgomery Ward (now closed) and Dillard's. After a $10 million facelift which was completed in December 2000, the mall, with its contemporary new look, is ready to continue to meet the needs of Westminster families for many years to come.
Westminster Mall was originally constructed in 1977 with thirty stores, including Joslin's as the main anchor. In 1997 Joslin's became Dillard's. A 1986 expansion added three new anchors - Foley's, Broadway Southwest (now Sears), and Mervyn's.
J.C. Penney was added in 1987 as the fifth anchor store. Sears replaced Broadway Southwest in 1996 and in 1997, Montgomery Ward became the sixth anchor.
In the beginning of the year 2000, the City of Westminster, in partnership with the mall's owners, began a major $10 million renovation designed to help Westminster Mall maintain a strong, competitive position in the northwest retail market. The City of Westminster funded $7.5 million of the remodeling costs. The Westminster Mall Co. funded the remaining $2.5 million (see Press Releases).
The Cleveland, Ohio architecture firm, KA Inc. was hired because of their extensive experience in the remodeling of regional malls. The general contractor, Tom Martin Construction Company, is the same company that built the original Mall in 1977.
Perhaps makeover is a better word, since rather than being completely remodeled, the project was designed to give the Westminster Mall a facelift. In many ways it is the same Mall with a new, contemporary look and feel. In designing the project, the architects, the City of Westminster and the Westminster Mall management went to great lengths to ensure that while the renovations went on, disruptions would be kept to a minimum. Most of the work was done at night, so the Mall could stay open throughout the construction.
Westminster Mall general manager, Kenton Anderson, told the Denver Post that the makeover gives the Mall "the most vital and newest look possible in an existing center. We're ensuring that our growth stays good and strong." Westminster city manager Bill Christopher agrees. "Westminster is committed to maintaining its foothold in the northwest retail market. In order to do this, aggressive reinvestment in a large economic engine like the Westminster Mall is warranted. We're not changing our focus in terms of the Westminster Mall continuing its position as a family mall where people feel comfortable," said Christopher. "This is still the mall that fulfills the needs of people in the north metropolitan area. The remodel will make it a very fun and architecturally contemporary place to fulfill those needs. We expect it to be very appealing to families."
Highlights of the face-lift include:
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Renovated Mall entrances with new facades, doors and illuminated entry signs
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New skylights throughout the Mall's interior providing more natural light for a brighter and more appealing atmosphere.
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Renovated center court area complete with new windows, new lighting, new carpet, glass railing. The very popular hot air balloons still hover above the water feature.
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New interior landscaping in planters with elaborate tile work.
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New seating areas.
The Mall held a five-day grand re-opening celebration Jan.18-22, 2001. The $10 million renovation of Westminster Mall was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Jan. 19 hosted by MIX 100 Radio personality Dom Testa. Westminster Mayor Nancy Heil and other dignitaries made welcoming remarks. Festivities included a performance by an a cappella group from Westminster High School. Several shoppers won $1,000 Mall shopping sprees during the week.
Westminster Mall is one of the largest Malls in the Denver metro area and is the economic catalyst for 4.4 million square feet of surrounding retail space in the Westminster City Center area. Its 1.5 million square feet of space is second in size behind Park Meadows (1.64 million square feet). FlatIron Crossing also leases 1.5 million square feet.
Westminster Mall has defied the average 20-year life span of malls - a phenomenon we have all witnessed in the Denver area with the demise of Lakeside Mall, Cinderella City Mall, Northglenn Mall, the Villa Italia Mall, and Crossroads Mall.
In fact, 1999 was a record-setting sales year at Westminster Mall. Many predicted the demise of Westminster Mall with the recent opening of FlatIrons Crossing in Broomfield, but if the 2000 Christmas shopping season was any indication, Westminster Mall has a bright future, according to Westminster Mall General Manager Kenton Anderson. (Click here for some interesting information on the economic impact of the Westminster Mall)
"Westminster Mall will continue to be a major player in the north area's marketplace," Westminster City Manager Bill Christopher predicted. "It serves a niche that that other retail outlets don't serve."
Westminster Mall was originally constructed in 1977 with thirty stores, including Joslin's as the main anchor. In 1997 Joslin's became Dillard's. A 1986 expansion added three new anchors - Foley's, Broadway Southwest (now Sears), and Mervyn's.
Westminster Mall a facelift. In many ways it is the same Mall with a new, contemporary look and feel. In designing the project, the architects, the City of Westminster and the Westminster Mall management went to great lengths to ensure that while the renovations went on, disruptions would be kept to a minimum. Most of the work was done at night, so the Mall could stay open throughout the construction.
The Mall held a five-day grand re-opening celebration Jan.18-22, 2001. The $10 million renovation of Westminster Mall was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Jan. 19 hosted by MIX 100 Radio personality Dom Testa. Westminster Mayor Nancy Heil and other dignitaries made welcoming remarks. Festivities included a performance by an a cappella group from Westminster High School. Several shoppers won $1,000 Mall shopping sprees during the week.