Temple Buell
Temple Buell moved to Denver in 1922 after serving in the First World War and established T.H. Buell & Co., which would become the largest architectural firm in the Rocky Mountain area. The company designed more than 300 buildings in the region during its 60 years in operation. Buell also developed the first low-cost housing projects in Denver. During the depression years, Buell was a leading advocate of improved housing conditions for the poor and creating work for the jobless.
While architecture was Buell’s profession, his business aspirations did not stop there. In addition to designing many notable buildings in Colorado and the region, Buell owned the land and many of the buildings he designed, was the project developer, and provided the upfront capital for many projects. Throughout his life, Buell built multiple successful corporations.
Buell’s most notable accomplishment was the design and successful development of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, one of the first of its kind in the country. This project was decades in the making when the mall finally opened for business in 1951. Through this work, Buell became known as the “Father of the Shopping Mall.” His design and execution changed the retail industry and resulted in revised zoning laws in unincorporated areas, eventually evolving the metropolitan Denver landscape for future generations.
The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation was established in 1962 to support Buell’s charitable interests. The foundation initially focused on the education of architects, research into catastrophic illnesses, and programs to prepare young people to live healthy lives. In 1996, the board of trustees changed the foundation's emphasis to focus primarily on programs in early childhood development and education.
While architecture was Buell’s profession, his business aspirations did not stop there. In addition to designing many notable buildings in Colorado and the region, Buell owned the land and many of the buildings he designed, was the project developer, and provided the upfront capital for many projects. Throughout his life, Buell built multiple successful corporations.
Buell’s most notable accomplishment was the design and successful development of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, one of the first of its kind in the country. This project was decades in the making when the mall finally opened for business in 1951. Through this work, Buell became known as the “Father of the Shopping Mall.” His design and execution changed the retail industry and resulted in revised zoning laws in unincorporated areas, eventually evolving the metropolitan Denver landscape for future generations.
The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation was established in 1962 to support Buell’s charitable interests. The foundation initially focused on the education of architects, research into catastrophic illnesses, and programs to prepare young people to live healthy lives. In 1996, the board of trustees changed the foundation's emphasis to focus primarily on programs in early childhood development and education.