Southwest Plaza in Littleton

Southwest Plaza is an enclosed super-regional mall located at 8501 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton, Colorado, in unincorporated Jefferson County, just south of Denver. Although its mailing address is “Littleton,” the town itself lies a couple of miles to the east. It opened in 1983 and occupies roughly 1.17 million square feet across two levels.

Anchor & Department Stores

• Current anchor stores include Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, and a Round1 entertainment complex .
• The former Macy’s location has been converted into a fulfillment center, and the former Sears space remains vacant.

Retail Mix & Fashion

• Southwest Plaza houses around 100–150 specialty retailers.
• Popular brands include American Eagle, Express, Forever 21, H&M, PacSun, Buckle, Claire’s, Hot Topic, and Zumiez .
• Specialty shops span gifts and collectibles (e.g., African Gifts, Maker’s Market), beauty and wellness, electronics, and games .

Dining & Experience Features

The mall includes a traditional food court and standalone restaurants such as Panera Bread, Chipotle, The Cheesecake Factory, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Charley’s Philly Steak, Dairy Queen, Renzio’s, and Orange Julius .

A major renovation finished in 2015 introduced skylights, open‑air café seating, fireplaces, wider concourses, natural‑light interiors, and free Wi‑Fi—creating a bright and Colorado‑inspired shopping environment.

Shopper Experience

The design shifts the feel from a typical mall to a more relaxed, lodge‑like atmosphere—think “bringing the outdoors in” with abundant light, seating nooks, and regional flair.

Community elements like Maker’s Markets host local artisans, especially during holidays and weekends .

Entertainment options such as Round1 bowling/arcade and (until recently) SeaQuest aquarium added experiential draws.

The Southwest Plaza Shopping Experience

Shoppers at Southwest Plaza can expect a diverse mix of mid-priced fashion, department-store anchors, dining options, and entertainment. The 2015 renovation transformed much of the mall into a light-filled, social destination with local retail touches and expanded casual dining options. While foot traffic and occupancy have fluctuated in recent years, its blend of shopping and family attractions continues to serve nearby communities like Littleton, Lakewood, and Golden.