An extant asset
The name Aurora Metro Center Station was an interesting choice for the eastern Denver suburb’s central light rail station. One might think that with a name such as this they can expect to find densely placed living and commercial spaces. Alas, on one side of the station lies an empty field. On the other, there lies a monotonous expanse of asphalt hosting the Town Center at Aurora.
1 to 4- The four main mall entrances of Town Center at Aurora. 5- The temporary setup for Paranormal Cirque in the southwestern parking lot. 6- The redeveloped exterior of the former Sears store.
Normally on these mall visits, I’ll do a quick walk around of the exterior before heading inside. But what I found on the flanking side of this facility was quite the unexpected find. Under white fabric tents reminiscent of those at nearby Denver International Airport was the Paranormal Cirque. Obviously a temporary addition to the center’s lineup, it proved to be the complex’s most unique offering.
Town Center at Aurora lease plan ca. 2010. View the full PDF version here.
While regional peers such as Cherry Creek Center and Park Meadows offer their own unique styles and flair, the Town Center at Aurora, much like Chesapeake’s Greenbrier Mall, offers nothing out of the ordinary design or selection wise. Though still drawing in respectable patronage, overall the facility reflects the commonplace nature of the surrounding suburb.
1 & 2- Dillard’s. 3 & 4- JCPenney. 5 & 6- Macy’s. 7 & 8- Fieldhouse.
Just across the tarmac from the Paranormal Cirque is the facility’s oldest extant anchor, JCPenney. Over the years, I’ve looked forward to seeing the interesting architectural elements of the Dallas based retailer’s outlets, with what I call Starship Penny’s being some of my favorites. But this location was just kind of bland, and even a recent coat of darker paint to contrast with the overall dusty walls did nothing to make this location stand out.
Town Center at Aurora Mallmanac ca. 2019. View the full PDF version here.
Just inside the southwestern mall entrance, the Town Center at Aurora greeted me with even more meh. The several shades of whites and grays lent the concourse all of the ambiance of your average DMV. However, the rectangular box sconces placed high up on the columns surrounding the various courts and common areas did lend the space a touch of old school distinctiveness.
The southwestern portion of Town Center at Aurora including the second level food court.
What was originally known as the Aurora Mall opened its doors in 1975. What was then the far eastern exurbs of a much younger Denver, it was built on a sprawling piece of land with not much else around. The just over 1 million square foot facility debuted with four anchors- The Denver Dry Goods Company, May-Daniels & Fisher, JCPenney and Sears.
Town Center at Aurora Mallmanac ca. 2021. View the full PDF version here.
Through the years, The Denver Dry Goods Company became a second location for May D&F in 1987 before rebranding as Foley’s in 1993. Today the anchor is occupied by Little Rock based Dillard’s. The May-Daniels & Fisher first was rebranded as a men’s store after the former Denver Dry Goods became a twin establishment, then was converted to a second spot for Foley’s. Macy’s now calls the southeastern facing box home.
Town Center at Aurora’s expansive center court.
In 2005, following the facility’s first major renovation, the entire complex was rebranded with its present moniker- Town Center at Aurora. The years following were rather tumultuous as the shopping center witnessed unfortunate events such as a young girl’s killing when trying to intervene in a fight in 2005 as well as the infamous 2012 shooting at the screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
Town Center at Aurora lease plan ca. 2023. View the full PDF version here.
Though Sears ultimately departed in 2019, it was soon replaced by a Round One entertainment complex in 2021. Otherwise, the Town Center at Aurora has seen welcome stability in more recent years and has even pivoted to better cater to the changing demographics in the surrounding area. I hoping this leads to continued success.
1 to 4- Scenes of Town Center at Aurora’s main concourse. 5- The former lower level entrance to Sears. 6- A mural displaying Denver’s pro sports team painted on the escalator nearest to Fieldhouse.
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