Buckingham Square was first announced in 1965 when plans for a Joslins Department store were revealed, intending to anchor a new development in Aurora, Colorado, at Mississippi and Havana streets. The mall officially opened on August 5, 1971, offering a modern shopping experience with department stores, restaurants, and entertainment. In addition to retail spaces, the development included Camelot I, Aurora’s first high-rise, followed by Camelot II and the Sherwood Apartments. The mall quickly became a local hub, hosting unique stores like Montgomery Wards and Fashion Bar, known for its bold design by architect Richard Crowther.
Buckingham Square also offered dining options such as the Lancelot Restaurant and had a four-screen movie complex, which was revolutionary at the time. The mall was celebrated for its family-friendly events, classic car shows, arm wrestling championships, and performances by local and regional groups. At its peak in the 1970s, the mall attracted 150,000 to 175,000 weekly visitors and expanded with additional stores and spaces.
However, by the 1990s, Buckingham Square entered a period of decline. Woolworth and Montgomery Wards closed their stores, and by 2006, the last major anchor, Dillards, left the mall for a new location. With increasing vacancies and competition from Aurora Mall, Buckingham Square couldn’t keep pace with modern shopping trends. In 2007, the mall was slated for demolition to make way for a new outdoor retail and residential development, marking the end of an era for the once-thriving community hub.
