Apple to Refurbish Subway Station Adjacent to Future Chicago Store

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/26/apple-to-refurbish-subway-station-adjacent-to-future-chicago-store/)

ifoAppleStore reports (http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009/10/24/apple-will-spend-4-million-to-erase-eye-sore/) that Apple has agreed to spend nearly $4 million to refurbish a run-down subway station adjacent to its future retail store on Halsted Street in Chicago. In exchange, Apple will receive from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) a free long-term lease on an unused bus turnaround dividing the subway station from the Apple store that will allow the company to turn the space into a landscaped public park.Over the years, the CTA's building has fallen behind on maintenance. The paint is peeling, the windows are filthy, an electrical sign has dangling wires, and metal framing is rusting. Inside the building and underground, the station features white tile walls and fluorescent lighting, with hallways leading to two narrow platforms underground.

In the agreement approved at an August 19th Chicago Transit Board meeting, in exchange for the improvements the CTA will lease the bus turnaround to Apple at no cost for 10 years, with options on four, five-year extensions. The CTA will also give Apple "first rights of refusal" for naming the station and placing advertising within the station, if the CTA later decides to offer those rights.Apple will reportedly spend up to $1,789,000 on its own refurbishment of the exterior of the station building, while it will pay the CTA up to $2,108,000 to perform upgrades on the station's interior. The timeline calls for the work to be completed by September 30, 2010, suggesting an approximate opening date for the store, for which structural steel has already been erected.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/10/26/161338-apple_subway_halsted_500.jpg

Chicago's North/Clybourn Red Line Station, with Bus Turnaround and Apple Store Construction Site Beyond


Article Link: Apple to Refurbish Subway Station Adjacent to Future Chicago Store (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/26/apple-to-refurbish-subway-station-adjacent-to-future-chicago-store/)

[thegoldenmackid]

Glad to see them doing good. Here's to capitalism.

[rtakman]

Welcome to the iStation..

[thisonechance]

Interesting to see Apple getting in on this. I live on North Avenue not too far from there. Can't wait to have a closer store location.

[noodle654]

Good for Apple. Business must be booming. :D

[TranceNW]

Well, that's something you don't see from many other companies.

Edit: Also, lets not forget how much they are able to milk this for good PR :P

[53buick]

see man, this is awesome. i scratch your back, you scratch my back.

[Diseal3]

They just dont want there future store across the street from a crap hole.

[KingYaba]

Good for business I reckon.

[wackymacky]

AS long as Apple doesn't start to pay to make sure there are no homeless people or other undesirables disturbing the visual environment of their stores.

(That's what this is what is about no doubt. they don't want a run down station next to their store to detract from the beauty of "the shining apple".)

[TimmyDee]

They just dont want there future store across the street from a crap hole.

No doubt. Some L stations aren't bad as they have been remodeled lately (mainly along the State St. subway—Jackson, Monroe, etc.), but others are atrocious. This should be a welcome improvement.

[stagi]

Thats awesome!

[Michael73]

Nice...a new Apple store and a landscaped public park. Now, if the public park had free WiFi, that'd be awesome ;)

[illegalprelude]

sounds like a win win

[Richard1028]

Great. The cost of macbooks just went up.

I wonder where the homeless winos and hookers will go. :eek:

[mrrory]

Now, if the public park had free WiFi, that'd be awesome ;)

Just sit a little closer to the Apple store :)

[fswmacguy]

Run down bus station > Public park

Apple wins.

[Gonzo3333]

Sweet! I'll have an Apple store that is even closer to me than the Michigan Ave. store. I guess that is what the old gas station is going to be. I was wondering what was being built there for a few months, I guess I know now.

[mags631]

Run down bus station > Public park

To each his own, but I prefer the public park over a run-down bus station. I.e.,

Run down bus station < Public park

[BeyondtheTech]

Let's hope they do better than these scumbags who got sweetheart deals from the city.

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/091021_Broken_Subway_Escalators_Part_4

[JeffTL]

The L usually isn't going to win any design awards, but it's a functionally elegant transit system that gets people where they're going in fairly good time, and without too much hassle. It is certainly in Apple's interest to have a store right next to a station, particularly a freshly refurbished one. I am planning on, if all goes well, moving to Chicago for grad school next year and probably living in Lakeview (preferably near Addison or Sheridan red line), so this would be my Genius Bar. Handy that it's going to be right by the train.

[Prof.]

Halsted? As in boystown? Behold the new place to meet gay guys. :D:cool:

[MorphingDragon]

Glad to see them doing good. Here's to capitalism.

Why would that matter?

No really, companies have been offered to fix up land and given some form of public compensation before. It doesn't matter what form of social/economic structure. :confused:

[rustedshut]

This is not very far from the Michigan Ave store. I'm glad there's another store in Chi but, I think they should have placed it much further west or north.

[blybug]

And in other Apple-related news today...

...apparently there is no other Apple-related news today.

[nagromme]

I know just the thing for that public park area: return of the Icon Garden!

http://icongarden.jory.org/

[SolRayz]

That picture is a sad reminder of the state of the country...but then again, seeing Apple come through gives me some hope.

[gilkisson]

To each his own, but I prefer the public park over a run-down bus station. I.e.,

Run down bus station < Public park

Read it like a chemical equation, as opposed to a mathematical one. Then it makes sense.

[dawindmg08]

Halsted? As in boystown? Behold the new place to meet gay guys. :D:cool:


Sorry Prof, but that's much further North on Halsted. ;)


I think this is actually pretty cool; I used to use that station quite a bit and it is indeed a run down sh*&hole. There's been a lot of renovation at that intersection now that Cabrini Green is all cleared out (it was just down the street), with new stores and condos. Apple gets an "iStation" and the city gets a badly needed renovation. Seems like a win-win.

[tempusfugit]

Good for Apple. Business must be booming. :D

Being a Chicago native, I know the city apple stores are always jam packed. You should see the one on Michigan Avenue.

Even the suburban stores are always packed. No shortage of Apple fans in the windy city.

[Prof.]

So no Apple Store in boystown? :( Shame. Imagine how hot the gay guys would be in blue jeans, apple shirts and styled hair. Mmmmmmm.

[drewfus]

Halsted? As in boystown? Behold the new place to meet gay guys. :D:cool:

Nah...Boystown is on Halsted and Belmont. This is a few miles and a few Red Line stops away from there. :)

As far as this location being close to the NMA store...it is, but it isn't. it would take quite a while to get from this location to the other due to the ridiculous traffic that downtown Chicago sees most of the time, so really, it's a good place to put another store in another part of the city, I think.

[840quadra]

This is really awesome. I like hearing about urban revival, especially if it is for areas that the public can use. The park idea sounds neat, so does a cleaner / safer station for potential customers to use!

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1165207334&type=profile

[mkrishnan]

The L usually isn't going to win any design awards, but it's a functionally elegant transit system that gets people where they're going in fairly good time, and without too much hassle. It is certainly in Apple's interest to have a store right next to a station, particularly a freshly refurbished one. I am planning on, if all goes well, moving to Chicago for grad school next year and probably living in Lakeview (preferably near Addison or Sheridan red line), so this would be my Genius Bar. Handy that it's going to be right by the train.

Some of the new Brown Line stations are actually quite nice. But there's been a fair amount of development in that block -- that Borders is fairly new, and IIRC there's a CB2 on the other side of the street? Sadly it's mostly large chain retailers and not anything more interesting that I've noticed so far.

The station itself (North & Clybourn that is) isn't really a cesspool. It could use a renovation, though.

[CPPhoto]

My photography studio is 3 blocks away from this station on halsted and evergreen. I, for one, am happy that Apple has gone ahead and taken the initiative to redo the station, and get a lil' perk in return.

I think apple decided on this area because of a few things:
-A MAJOR revitalization is going on in the 5-6 block radius surrounding the location.
-Cabrini Green will be down within a year. (one building is closed already)
-The land across the street to the south is being developed soon.
-Businesses (like mine) are moving back in to the area due to nice locations and reasonable lease rates
-It gets enough foot and auto traffic due to the hotspot area along North Avenue.

Besides being closer to get repairs done, etc for my studio, having such a huge name brings people back to an area that has long been dead and dangerous.. I'm all for it.

[callmemike20]

This is great. I always hated this station, had to use it a few times for the stores nearby.

Wasn't Apple suppose to be putting a store in that Block 37 building on State/Randolph? I remember hearing rumors about it a long time ago. But that was suppose to open last Fall, and the place is still under construction. I think they actually went into foreclosure recently.

[anti-microsoft]

I know just the thing for that public park area: return of the Icon Garden!

http://icongarden.jory.org/

Ah... So that's where the Iconfactory got thier inspiration from... amp Champ] (http://www.rampchamp.com)

Ams.

[jb510]

So I hope everyone in that area of Chicago is required to buy a Apple product in place of paying there taxes.... or maybe they should charge an extra $0.25 to everyone going through the station?

Honestly I think there is no philanthropy involved on Apple's part, it probably just makes financial sense to buy a cheap run-down location and fix it up then to find a nice location an pay top dollar for it. Can't see much in the photo, but it's a shame that cities in the US let parts get as run-down as they look in that photo... notice the windows on that station... paint it cheap.

[polaris20]

So no Apple Store in boystown? :( Shame. Imagine how hot the gay guys would be in blue jeans, apple shirts and styled hair. Mmmmmmm.

Nothing personal to the gay fellows, but that's rather not the reason I'd be visiting that particular Apple Store. :)

[Daremo]

Anything that helps restore Chicago's facade, one building at a time, I'm all for. I've lived in the Chicago burns my entire life, and have travelled all over the world, and Chicago is still of the best cities around. Kudos to Apple for taking this on. And yeah, I'm sure they didn't want to be across from a crap hole. hahaha

[The Samurai]

Great marketing technique on Apple's part. Very smart.

[Mr Dobey]

Any restoration is good in my mind.

[zombitronic]

I'd be interested in seeing the proposed layout. From Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=1599+N.+Clybourn+Ave.,+Chicago,+IL+60622&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=sgrmSo74EomINr6T4Z8D&ved=0CA4Q8gEwAA&hq=&hnear=1599+N+Clybourn+Ave,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60642&ll=41.910617,-87.648757&spn=0.000826,0.001542&t=h&z=19), it doesn't look like there's much room.

I couldn't tell from the article, but I'd assume that the lease allows them to tear down the unused outdoor bus turnaround, because from the picture, it looks like that's where the construction to the store is beginning. From Street View (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=1599+N.+Clybourn+Ave.,+Chicago,+IL+60622&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=sgrmSo74EomINr6T4Z8D&ved=0CA4Q8gEwAA&hq=&hnear=1599+N+Clybourn+Ave,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60642&ll=41.910931,-87.648869&spn=0.000826,0.001542&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.910931,-87.648982&panoid=gm4Rvq1WVvCZevslm7vt_A&cbp=12,133.34,,0,0.62), it doesn't look like you could build a store on that corner without tearing it down. I'm assuming the store would be on the Northeast corner and a park to the south.

The subway station to the west could use a good refurbishing. The improvements will really refresh an otherwise bleak-looking block. I would be surprised if they didn't equip the entire block with WiFi.

[BlueRevolution]

I wonder how much say Apple has in the design of the new station. Glass cube, anyone? :rolleyes:

[iZac]

This great advertising for apple, in every way.

Its also fantastic buyers experience. Imagine stepping off the subway and theres a huge poster for the latest Apple gadget, it puts the product in your mind as you step out next to a well kept park. Trees, grass, beautiful people leeching wifi with their Macbooks. And slap bang infront of you is an Apple Store, where your mind was filled seconds ago with ads from the subway.

[Stately]

Nihhhhihiccccccee . . :D

[Mark-Mac-Attack]

Halstead? I lived in Halstead (Essex, England...)

[Stridder44]

This is $%*ing awesome. Seriously. I'm just jealous I don't live anywhere near it to personally witness the changes. Hopefully people here will take pictures before any restoration takes place, then development of the building, and finally the finished product.

I hope this becomes a trend among companies.

[MecPro]

This is $%*ing awesome. Seriously. I'm just jealous I don't live anywhere near it to personally witness the changes. Hopefully people here will take pictures before any restoration takes place, then development of the building, and finally the finished product.

I hope this becomes a trend among companies.

Hopefully Apple document this. This made my heart warm, it's good to hear companies not just opening up stores in developed areas, but in areas that are a little worse for wear :apple:

[TsunamiPete]

It's like Extreme Makeover Subway Edition.

[Lynxpoint]

recall the story of a certain open source itunes alternative buying ad space from a transit authority. Ad space directly next to an Apple store.

Well it won't happen here.

[Stridder44]

I'd be interested in seeing the proposed layout. From Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=1599+N.+Clybourn+Ave.,+Chicago,+IL+60622&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=sgrmSo74EomINr6T4Z8D&ved=0CA4Q8gEwAA&hq=&hnear=1599+N+Clybourn+Ave,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60642&ll=41.910617,-87.648757&spn=0.000826,0.001542&t=h&z=19), it doesn't look like there's much room.

I couldn't tell from the article, but I'd assume that the lease allows them to tear down the unused outdoor bus turnaround, because from the picture, it looks like that's where the construction to the store is beginning. From Street View (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=1599+N.+Clybourn+Ave.,+Chicago,+IL+60622&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=sgrmSo74EomINr6T4Z8D&ved=0CA4Q8gEwAA&hq=&hnear=1599+N+Clybourn+Ave,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60642&ll=41.910931,-87.648869&spn=0.000826,0.001542&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.910931,-87.648982&panoid=gm4Rvq1WVvCZevslm7vt_A&cbp=12,133.34,,0,0.62), it doesn't look like you could build a store on that corner without tearing it down. I'm assuming the store would be on the Northeast corner and a park to the south.

The subway station to the west could use a good refurbishing. The improvements will really refresh an otherwise bleak-looking block. I would be surprised if they didn't equip the entire block with WiFi.

Nice find. But even after looking at that, I'm still kind of confused how it'll all work out. Are they tearing down and rebuilding it altogether? Where is the Apple store going to be located? And how does the park come into play/located? Like I said, I know the article (tried to) explain it but I'm still kind of confused.

[tcphoto]

I guess that an L train is the modern day apple cart:D

[Stately]

I'm sure that Borders is going to see a nice boom in business. ;)

[jovanboi]

well this sounds good. thats a pretty decent area, but that station (and the pizza joint next to it) sticks out like a sore thumb.

[cmfilms]

How can anyone vote this as a negative story? :confused:

Like the people who voted negative when they heard the Steve Jobs was healthy enough to return to work. Ugh.

[larrybeo]

Wow this is awesome! Maybe this is why the Fullerton stop has been finishing up faster than planned! This deal reminds me of AT&T and iPhone - a superior product on a shotty network. Now we will have a superior station on a shotty train line! Ha! Nice work Apple!

[rtakman]

Did you hear the news!

Microsoft have been rumored to be Refurbishing the public Toilets down the road from the station!

[the vj]

I see Ballmer: Bah... he have decorated hundred of places, we even have several locations re decorated in Irak and the Iraki people love our products and they actually love the US as a consecuence blah, blah, blah...

[DUSTmurph]

So in exchange for fixing up a run-down subway station, Chicago will allow Apple to build a public park for the city?? Thats so nice of them! :rolleyes:

Maybe if I let Apple fix up my house, I'll allow them to do the yard work, clean my garage, or work on my car. :D:p

[convergent]

AS long as Apple doesn't start to pay to make sure there are no homeless people or other undesirables disturbing the visual environment of their stores.

I heard they were hiring the homeless people to work at the genius bar.

[guzhogi]

Hmm… my sister & brother-in-law live on Halsted. Unfortunately, they're Windows users. :(

[leomac08]

Glad to see them doing good. Here's to capitalism.

How is that capitalism?!:eek::confused:

[ItsGavinC]

Nice find. But even after looking at that, I'm still kind of confused how it'll all work out. Are they tearing down and rebuilding it altogether? Where is the Apple store going to be located? And how does the park come into play/located? Like I said, I know the article (tried to) explain it but I'm still kind of confused.


The metro station is located next to a bus turn-around (basically an empty parking lot) which is next to the Apple store.

Apple gets to turn the parking lot into a public park in exchange for remodeling the metro station next to the park.

I call this a win-win. Apple wanted something (to improve appearances around the store) and the city saw they could obtain something. Good for both of them.

[Digitalclips]

How can anyone vote this as a negative story? :confused:

Like the people who voted negative when they heard the Steve Jobs was healthy enough to return to work. Ugh.

I agree. Same people most likely. Some people would rather see those they disagree with fail, regardless of the greater good. Sadly there is a lot of that sort of thing going around at the moment.

[silentnite]

Next time you look, apple will have an express train that leads straight to the store. Hey! If you got the money, might as well use it for some good. Lot's of people will benefit from this one way or another.

[Chicagomac08]

This is a great location for those who know Chicago. Most people find it painful to go down to Michigan Ave and this is an area with lots of retail and restaurant.

They just put in what might be the coolest Whole Foods I have ever been in a few blocks away. If you can't get excited for grocery stores there's a strip club right across the street from Whole Foods (hilarious by the way)

Crate & Barrel, J Crew, CPK, Best Buy, World Market Etc Etc....

A lot of northsiders frequent this area.

[Xtremehkr]

Apple is getting long term free rent out of the deal, so it's not altruistic on their part.

Knowing Apple though, I imagine they will do an excellent job of redesigning the station, they have an excellent sense of style.

Smart move though, locating near where lots of people gather and making it an attractive place to be.

[GeekLawyer]

How is that capitalism?!:eek::confused:

Because Apple, Inc. is a capitalist enterprise that sells goods in return for profit. The profits allow Apple to do things like expand their retail footprint. (And build new computers, design new software, and generally, you know, run a business.) Refurbishing the subway station is about advertising, which is generally an important part of business as well. :)

[Thex1138]

The street looks a bit shabby... Where's the road guys to fix it... ?
:rolleyes:

Street needs some patching up... and opposite a Verizon outlet :rolleyes:

Street View (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&sll=41.910825,-87.648145&sspn=0.001323,0.002406&ie=UTF8&radius=0.06&filter=0&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&hnear=&ll=41.910931,-87.648743&spn=0,359.997594&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.910931,-87.64886&panoid=fy3TOc2SMDrBGYBi2grRsQ&cbp=12,220.34,,0,1.49)

[ThunderSkunk]

Mmm... that's a man-kiss.

[tabasco70]

That's gonna be the coolest station ever.

[asphyxiafeeling]

Amazing. A reason to <3 Apple. They help themselves by making the area near their retail store look nice, they help the subway station by renovating, and they help the community by building a public park.

No qualms of them sitting on those billions they have in the bank if it gives them the financial power to do small things like this every once in a while.

[Frisco]

Leave the old Subway stations alone! They make great underground adventures and have historical significance. What is Apple becoming the new Disney.

Yuppies!

[nozebleed]

How can anyone vote this as a negative story? :confused:

Like the people who voted negative when they heard the Steve Jobs was healthy enough to return to work. Ugh.

I did. Not for the fact that Apple is upfitting the space, but negative because this is a prime example how taxpayer funds get redirected and what it shouldve been used for suffers. IMHO public transportation should be privately owned anyways, oh wait, its not profitable. Im all for Apple hooking it up, unfortunately this is the result of taxing the living snot out of the high earners to the point they leave, with their tax revenue. In turn, the city/state suffers.

Sometimes you have to dig further into the story to get to the real issues. Kudos for Apple picking up the bill. And you know what the funny thing is, this is actually a round about way of cutting taxes, and it attracted business. Go figure.

[Frisco]

I did. Not for the fact that Apple is upfitting the space, but negative because this is a prime example how taxpayer funds get redirected and what it shouldve been used for suffers. IMHO public transportation should be privately owned anyways, oh wait, its not profitable. Im all for Apple hooking it up, unfortunately this is the result of taxing the living snot out of the high earners to the point they leave, with their tax revenue. In turn, the city/state suffers.

Sometimes you have to dig further into the story to get to the real issues. Kudos for Apple picking up the bill. And you know what the funny thing is, this is actually a round about way of cutting taxes, and it attracted business. Go figure.

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?

[iLunar]

Good for Apple & Chicago.

Now perhaps they can open a store in Center City, Philadelphia...please? :o

[nozebleed]

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?

You are assuming they will completely gut it and redesign, which with the pricetag that is stated (+/- 1 mil exterior, +/- 2 mil interior) I find hard to believe at those bids.

Even so, if it was so historic why did the government leave it to shambles.

(funny how you compared a train stop to The Acropolis tho, kudos)

[cjmillsnun]

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?

Actually the architecture is likely to be the same, just repairs to bring it to it's former glory.

If you want to see how sympathetic Apple can be to historic architecture, look no further!

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/

[jamesdmc]

Man, I miss Chicago. I lived in Hoffman Estates (near the intersection of Golf & Roselle for those that know the area) before my wife's job relocation brought us to Atlanta four years ago. When we moved here and bought our first mac, *all* my mac's wallpapers were of the Windy City. Love that place. The El, the loop, Lou Malnati's (http://www.loumalnatis.com/), the Lake, winter (yes, even winter).

Looking forward to seeing how the new store turns out.


James

[run-kmc]

Well, that's something you don't see from many other companies.


It's more common than you might think.

[roocka]

Apple gets free rent for 10 years.. This is awesome. Think about it. They would have had to spend the $1.5 million to renovate the store anyways. So they basically get a retail location and a park for ten years for 2.5 million dollars. This is $2.5 million divided by 120 months or the equivalent of $20,833/mo as a lease.

This is CHEAP. I wonder how big the footprint for this store is going to be. Apple just got the deal of a lifetime, will generate huge profits, and can say that they are a GREEN company out of this which can only lead to great PR. Also, they get first right of refusal on all advertisements in the subway station. This is an insane deal. The advertising alone in that space could be worth well over $20,833/mo. Think "subway sized" billboards. They can refuse the billboards from companies like Verizon while accepting iPhone related advertising paid for by AT&T. This is just insane. Steve Jobs, you are an evil genius and I love it. Cheers to you sir.

-Al

[mikes70mustang]

Really...another apple store in the chicago area? Is there seriously not enough there already? How bout a store further south.

[jzuena]

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?

At least that would get what's left of the Parthenon fixed!

[scottness]

free wifi and iphone/ipod charging docks while you wait for your train?

[CFreymarc]

First of all, glad to hear that this is being done. Second, doing this in Chicago is a massive suck-up to the Obama administation. Look at the neighborhood this is going into and you will know why this one has been chosen.

Also, I am sure that while Apple is spending "millions" on this, every urban renewal corporate tax deduction is going to be taken place on this to where I bet Apple doesn't pay a cent for this station when the accountants are done with this project.

Who knows, this trend my continue. How about an Exxon BART station in San Francisco? LOL!

[BrettNPU32]

Hello I know this is the wrong window for this but I am new and don't know where else to write this to get a response. I play online poker and I was wondering with Full tilt Poker's software, can you blow the table up to stretch the whole screen on the 27 inch imac? I ask this because with the Safari you can't because it goes to an actual fit setting. Thanks

[Lara F]

Good for Apple & Chicago.

Now perhaps they can open a store in Center City, Philadelphia...please? :o

I was just going to post that even though I'm not in Philly anymore! Great for Chicago, but it's a shame there's still no single downtown store there. :rolleyes:

It's also about time Brooklyn gets a store...

[Thex1138]

... doing this in Chicago is a massive suck-up to the Obama administation. Look at the neighborhood this is going into and you will know why this one has been chosen....
:rolleyes:

How on earth is it a suck up to the Administration?
:rolleyes:

So tell us why it was chosen....?
:confused:

[Rocketman]

I think it is a good thing and a way to appease Obama without any political limits. Chicago needs more green space but they should put a snow tube ramp for winter.

The sign on the subway should simply say "refurbished by Apple.

Then make all the buttons on all the machines shapes like little apples.

This is a good way for Apple to leverage a commercial opportunity to a community asset.

It doesn't hurt they will have a store at the exit of the most desirable subway stop on the network. Where's the pub?

Rocketman

[thejadedmonkey]

Apple gets free rent for 10 years.. This is awesome. Think about it. They would have had to spend the $1.5 million to renovate the store anyways. So they basically get a retail location and a park for ten years for 2.5 million dollars. This is $2.5 million divided by 120 months or the equivalent of $20,833/mo as a lease.

This is CHEAP. I wonder how big the footprint for this store is going to be. Apple just got the deal of a lifetime, will generate huge profits, and can say that they are a GREEN company out of this which can only lead to great PR. Also, they get first right of refusal on all advertisements in the subway station. This is an insane deal. The advertising alone in that space could be worth well over $20,833/mo. Think "subway sized" billboards. They can refuse the billboards from companies like Verizon while accepting iPhone related advertising paid for by AT&T. This is just insane. Steve Jobs, you are an evil genius and I love it. Cheers to you sir.

-Al

the way I read it, the store still has a monthly lease, it's just that the store will now be across the street from a park.

[Mexbearpig]

Ugh. Whish I had one closer to me :(
Closest one is an hour away :(

[Tonewheel]

Look at the neighborhood this is going into and you will know why this one has been chosen.

Huh? Do you live here? North Avenue, from the Kennedy east almost to Wells was an absolute armpit until the 90's. Today, it's an incredibly popular commercial district with "A" tier stores and shops. It's a perfect location and makes absolute sense to plunk down an Apple Store on the "triangle".

[Stridder44]

The metro station is located next to a bus turn-around (basically an empty parking lot) which is next to the Apple store.

Apple gets to turn the parking lot into a public park in exchange for remodeling the metro station next to the park.

I call this a win-win. Apple wanted something (to improve appearances around the store) and the city saw they could obtain something. Good for both of them.

Ah, thanks, that clears it up.

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?

You're kidding right? The place is a dump. Just because it's "historic" doesn't mean it's any good to begin with (which it isn't).

[miki66]

that's a really good new!!! glad to see another one in the city. wish they'll also open one in loop:p

[ShnikeJSB]

The street looks a bit shabby... Where's the road guys to fix it... ?
:rolleyes:

Street needs some patching up... and opposite a Verizon outlet :rolleyes:

Street View (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&sll=41.910825,-87.648145&sspn=0.001323,0.002406&ie=UTF8&radius=0.06&filter=0&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&hnear=&ll=41.910931,-87.648743&spn=0,359.997594&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.910931,-87.64886&panoid=fy3TOc2SMDrBGYBi2grRsQ&cbp=12,220.34,,0,1.49)

You don't even know the half of it... I had to replace 2 tires at different times this summer to that road... And that is just Chicago and Illinois in general. We have 2 seasons here; Winter, and Construction. Yet the roads are always crumbling piles of trash with potholes and dips that'll swallow your car whole! Hell, we just had a MAJOR highway buckle... :mad:

[macintoshtoffy]

Nothing personal to the gay fellows, but that's rather not the reason I'd be visiting that particular Apple Store. :)

Pick up an iMac, iPod and an iStud :)

[AndrewLGP]

It's closer to me than the downtown store, I'm in Logan Square a little south of Palmer, but still a bit of a hike. It's not that far from the downtown one. How about one west of the Kennedy, Apple? That's near Lincoln Park though, it actually makes sense. Guaranteed business.

[theMaccer]

Hello I know this is the wrong window for this but I am new and don't know where else to write this to get a response. I play online poker and I was wondering with Full tilt Poker's software, can you blow the table up to stretch the whole screen on the 27 inch imac? I ask this because with the Safari you can't because it goes to an actual fit setting. Thanks

Just drag the right corner to the size you like.

[mikes70mustang]

It's closer to me than the downtown store, I'm in Logan Square a little south of Palmer, but still a bit of a hike. It's not that far from the downtown one. How about one west of the Kennedy, Apple? That's near Lincoln Park though, it actually makes sense. Guaranteed business.

i like how people complain that they may have to walk a few more blocks. When others like me are at a minimum of 80 miles away from at least a service provider. And even more for an actual store.

[polaris20]

Man, I miss Chicago. I lived in Hoffman Estates (near the intersection of Golf & Roselle for those that know the area) before my wife's job relocation brought us to Atlanta four years ago. When we moved here and bought our first mac, *all* my mac's wallpapers were of the Windy City. Love that place. The El, the loop, Lou Malnati's (http://www.loumalnatis.com/), the Lake, winter (yes, even winter).

Looking forward to seeing how the new store turns out.


James

I know that area well! I worked for 10 years just East of Golf and Higgins, on Golf.

I then worked in the Loop.

[polaris20]

Apple gets free rent for 10 years.. This is awesome. Think about it. They would have had to spend the $1.5 million to renovate the store anyways. So they basically get a retail location and a park for ten years for 2.5 million dollars. This is $2.5 million divided by 120 months or the equivalent of $20,833/mo as a lease.

This is CHEAP. I wonder how big the footprint for this store is going to be. Apple just got the deal of a lifetime, will generate huge profits, and can say that they are a GREEN company out of this which can only lead to great PR. Also, they get first right of refusal on all advertisements in the subway station. This is an insane deal. The advertising alone in that space could be worth well over $20,833/mo. Think "subway sized" billboards. They can refuse the billboards from companies like Verizon while accepting iPhone related advertising paid for by AT&T. This is just insane. Steve Jobs, you are an evil genius and I love it. Cheers to you sir.

-Al

Well if you add it up, it's actually closer to 4Mil, but yeah free rent for 10 years when the store will do 2Mil a year is a no brainer for Apple.

[MorphingDragon]

The street looks a bit shabby... Where's the road guys to fix it... ?
:rolleyes:

Street needs some patching up... and opposite a Verizon outlet :rolleyes:

Street View (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&sll=41.910825,-87.648145&sspn=0.001323,0.002406&ie=UTF8&radius=0.06&filter=0&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=Clybourn+Red+Line+Station,+halsted+st&hnear=&ll=41.910931,-87.648743&spn=0,359.997594&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.910931,-87.64886&panoid=fy3TOc2SMDrBGYBi2grRsQ&cbp=12,220.34,,0,1.49)

It looks like a rundown version of Taupo City.

[AndrewLGP]

i like how people complain that they may have to walk a few more blocks. When others like me are at a minimum of 80 miles away from at least a service provider. And even more for an actual store.

Do you live near a major metropolitan area? They have quite a few stores in most of them and there are Apple departments in many Best Buy's. There are actually eight stores in the Chicago area currently. The Halsted/Clybourn one will make seven.

[chicagostars]

Nice find. But even after looking at that, I'm still kind of confused how it'll all work out. Are they tearing down and rebuilding it altogether? Where is the Apple store going to be located? And how does the park come into play/located? Like I said, I know the article (tried to) explain it but I'm still kind of confused.

The store is replacing an old BP station that has been fully torn down, with underground tanks excavated, etc. The space between where the store is going up and the L station isn't huge, but enough for a nice amount of greenery and several benches. The open space for the park is to the west of the store, east of the L station. The small size is a plus for wifi: the entire park should be within range of the Apple store's network.

[brianbobcat]

I'd be interested in seeing the proposed layout...it doesn't look like there's much room.

Ask and ye shall receive, or just click on the original article: http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009/10/07/chicago-store-steel-is-up-its-squares-ville/

I couldn't tell from the article, but I'd assume that the lease allows them to tear down the unused outdoor bus turnaround, because from the picture, it looks like that's where the construction to the store is beginning. [I]t doesn't look like you could build a store on that corner without tearing it down. I'm assuming the store would be on the Northeast corner and a park to the south.

Again, check the link for the layout and construction pictures.

The subway station to the west could use a good refurbishing. The improvements will really refresh an otherwise bleak-looking block. I would be surprised if they didn't equip the entire block with WiFi.

That "bleak-loking block" is actually really nice brick. Check the IFO article which broke this story for my full prediction on the renovations.

First of all, glad to hear that this is being done. Second, doing this in Chicago is a massive suck-up to the Obama administration. Look at the neighborhood this is going into and you will know why this one has been chosen.

Well kinda, yah, Obama had a major fundraiser here in the spring that involved him taking Marine One to Lincoln Park and then motorcade to a place several blocks east of the Apple Store and CTA station on North Avenue.

Who knows, this trend my continue. How about an Exxon BART station in San Francisco? LOL!

Tried to make a joke, but you're more correct than you know. The San Francisco store redid the BART entrance there with spiffy aluminum and glass.

the way I read it, the store still has a monthly lease, it's just that the store will now be across the street from a park.

YES! FINALLY someone who actually read the article or just read it at least marginally well. The CTA station is not going anywhere. $2 million will not pay for demolition and construction of the whole station. What it will pay for will be the removal of the bus turnaround and presumable the concrete wall and metal fence and then landscaping the area outside the doors through to the back of the newly constructed Apple store. I also expect a revamped interior layout and probably new lighting and security features, but no ADA improvements or physical layouts. I could see the replacement of those small, individual and probably Very inefficient windows with large panes like those at Apple's own stores which would keep the store more consistently temperature controlled and provide tons more natural light during the day. Expect the Pizza Ria Zia to stay. It's a source of income, so why would the CTA get rid of it? The design for the station MAY include some modern materials like stainless steel to replace the little amount of wooden siding currently on the building, but remember Apple is PAYING for the design, not actually designing it themselves. And BTW, I live 5 Red Line stops north and some of the pictures on IFO are from me.

-Brian

[MacDSmith2]

From the picture posted, it looks like a dump, making the whole area look trashy, street included. Apple had to make a deal to clean up the thing; they couldn't put their nice new mod looking store next to a trashing downtown bus stop. If they do the park right, they could make it a WiFi Amusement Park! Opens up lots of interesting ideas for outdoor computing tied to the Store front.

[Antares]

This is definitely a great location to plunk down another store. Kudos to Apple for the fix up. Can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

I saw this in the Sun Times earlier today and wondered when it would get posted here.
Sun Times Article (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1846104,CST-FIN-apple26.article)

[guerro]

But, where will Microsoft put its retail store?

[brianbobcat]

This is a great location for those who know Chicago. Most people find it painful to go down to Michigan Ave and this is an area with lots of retail and restaurant.

They just put in what might be the coolest Whole Foods I have ever been in a few blocks away. If you can't get excited for grocery stores there's a strip club right across the street from Whole Foods (hilarious by the way)

Crate & Barrel, J Crew, CPK, Best Buy, World Market Etc Etc....

A lot of northsiders frequent this area.

Exactly!! Read my write-up of the area here (even though it sounds like you already now it equally well): http://www.ifoapplestore.com/stores/halsted_study.pdf

Apple gets free rent for 10 years.. This is awesome. Think about it. They would have had to spend the $1.5 million to renovate the store anyways. So they basically get a retail location and a park for ten years for 2.5 million dollars. This is $2.5 million divided by 120 months or the equivalent of $20,833/mo as a lease.

Ah, WHAT?! You think Apple just BOUGHT a CTA station to turn into a "store"??? Apple is leasing the property on Halsted from M Development LLC. Why on earth would you think Apple was renovating and moving into a 1940's L stop? According to IFO, the lease details from M Development are: "local sources say it’s $700,000 a year. The public documents state that Apple has an initial 10-year lease, with the option to extend it by two, five-year terms." $700,000 and month is a LOT more than $20,833, but they're actually paying for a store with that 700K and are donating that $4M for a park in BETWEEN the CTA L stop and the Apple store.

This is CHEAP. I wonder how big the footprint for this store is going to be. Apple just got the deal of a lifetime, will generate huge profits, and can say that they are a GREEN company out of this which can only lead to great PR. Also, they get first right of refusal on all advertisements in the subway station. This is an insane deal. The advertising alone in that space could be worth well over $20,833/mo. Think "subway sized" billboards. They can refuse the billboards from companies like Verizon while accepting iPhone related advertising paid for by AT&T. This is just insane. Steve Jobs, you are an evil genius and I love it. Cheers to you sir.

-Al

Again, $700,000 month is the rent. We have no idea what the terms are for the ~$4M for the design and renovation. Apple has plastered Red Line trains and subway stations with iPod ads in the past, so it wouldn't be unheard of if this station seemed to have a perpetual Apple presence, but don't expect it to be comped to them.

-Brian

[Chip NoVaMac]

Leave the old Subway stations alone! They make great underground adventures and have historical significance. What is Apple becoming the new Disney.

Yuppies!

Can see your point; but we don't yet know what Apple will do to update the station. Having been to Chicago and using the L and busses only... some stations are in need of repair. Hopefully Apple will keep the flavor of the original station and not just gut it and start over.

Actually the architecture is likely to be the same, just repairs to bring it to it's former glory.

If you want to see how sympathetic Apple can be to historic architecture, look no further!

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/

Good call on sharing the link. :)

Man, I miss Chicago. I lived in Hoffman Estates (near the intersection of Golf & Roselle for those that know the area) before my wife's job relocation brought us to Atlanta four years ago. When we moved here and bought our first mac, *all* my mac's wallpapers were of the Windy City. Love that place. The El, the loop, Lou Malnati's (http://www.loumalnatis.com/), the Lake, winter (yes, even winter).

Looking forward to seeing how the new store turns out.=

James

Love Chicago here as well. Thought of moving there a couple years back - but the economy started to tank, and after last winter just here in the DC area - I found out that I was not as hardy as I once was with cold weather. :(


Also, I am sure that while Apple is spending "millions" on this, every urban renewal corporate tax deduction is going to be taken place on this to where I bet Apple doesn't pay a cent for this station when the accountants are done with this project.

Who knows, this trend my continue. How about an Exxon BART station in San Francisco? LOL!

I am sure you are right on the accounting factor.

As to an Exxon Bart station. As we are building finally the Metro Rail extension to Dulles Airport. I would love nothing more than to see SAIC, Sprint, Orcal. VW, and so many others pony up so that we don't have to pay increased tolls on the Dulles Toll Road.

[bretm]

No doubt. Some L stations aren't bad as they have been remodeled lately (mainly along the State St. subway—Jackson, Monroe, etc.), but others are atrocious. This should be a welcome improvement.

Wait, isn't this the President's home ground? I guess I assumed it was already paridise.

[knemonic]

No s***! I just got off that stop a few weeks ago to see some friends. It is good cause that stop needs it, you would think your getting off in a crappy part of Chicago if you've never been here.

[enil8tr1]

This is one of best subway locations in Chicago period. I don't think half these people posting know the area at all, This area is not in boys town and has no bad influence from caprini greene, Check out real estate prices, retail and Steppenwolf Theatre you will be impressed. Nice job appl.

Ps I have worked on halsted a blk away from this subway station for a year

[kockgunner]

I wish this would happen more--companies helping the city out by makig their store's surrounding areas better. It's a win-win. As long as they don't name it iStation S.

[rosh325]

While I'm glad this is being done I feel the article can be misleading for non-Chicagoans. Relative to other stations, this station is most certainly not a dump. I live on the North side (Sheridan red line) and the stations up here are atrocious. All I'm saying is, while it's great that they are doing this (I am all for improvement), the repair itself may be overhyped. Despite what the pictures may make you think....underground in the actual station it's not that bad.

That being said, we have a Target that will be opening up in 2010 in my area and a bunch of the neighbors (myself included) just e-mailed this article to Target with the hopes that they'll renovate our station.

[MDiddy]

This is one of best subway locations in Chicago period. I don't think half these people posting know the area at all, This area is not in boys town and has no bad influence from caprini greene, Check out real estate prices, retail and Steppenwolf Theatre you will be impressed. Nice job appl.

Ps I have worked on halsted a blk away from this subway station for a year

Its Cabrini-Green. The 'bad influence' in the neighborhood are the hipsters and yuppies.

[macshill]

Amazing. A reason to <3 Apple. They help themselves by making the area near their retail store look nice, they help the subway station by renovating, and they help the community by building a public park.

No qualms of them sitting on those billions they have in the bank if it gives them the financial power to do small things like this every once in a while.

lmfao Except when it's Microsoft wanting to do what Gateway did first by opening up retail stores to "beautify" a neighbourhood... aka get rich w/ a tax write-off. ;):p:D

I mean it just for play and keeping you fanboys humble. lol

[brianbobcat]

While I'm glad this is being done I feel the article can be misleading for non-Chicagoans. Relative to other stations, this station is most certainly not a dump. I live on the North side (Sheridan red line) and the stations up here are atrocious. All I'm saying is, while it's great that they are doing this (I am all for improvement), the repair itself may be overhyped. Despite what the pictures may make you think....underground in the actual station it's not that bad.

That being said, we have a Target that will be opening up in 2010 in my area and a bunch of the neighbors (myself included) just e-mailed this article to Target with the hopes that they'll renovate our station.

Rosh, you and I must live pretty close then, and you are right about North and Clybourn. The platforms aren't "narrow" like everyone is saying and the station-house has some nice character actually. It's my favorite stop just because of how unique it is. Sure it can use some attention, but which stops not brand new couldn't use some new windows, flooring and paint? I can see that new Aldi from my place and thus am only about 200' from that Target. The Wilson stop and ones north have received some attention from the CTA including new windbreaks, lighting, and overhauled canopies with all fresh paint. Wilson is even going to get an elevator in the coming year or two. Sheridan probably won't get much attention for many years until they completely overhaul it to make it ADA accessible, no small feat as those platforms are even narrower than Fullerton and Belmont were, and look what they needed to do at both those stops.

-Brian

[Hrududu]

How is that capitalism?!:eek::confused:
Ever hear of cooperate social responsibility? If not, you should look it up.

[RTee]

Ok this is great! now what crappy run down train, bus, taxi rank will Microsoft
now run out to doll up! :)

[Pigumon]

Is this the beginning of Omni Consumer Products (OCP)? Now a business is getting more involved in controlling parts of the city... when do we get iRobocop?


"want to get rid of pesky homeless, there's an app for that":apple:

[weckart]

Actually the architecture is likely to be the same, just repairs to bring it to it's former glory.

If you want to see how sympathetic Apple can be to historic architecture, look no further!

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/

You can thank the stringent planning laws in the UK for the fact that it wasn't just more glass and concrete. Even so, Apple managed to gut the insides.

[sg.hill]

IMHO public transportation should be privately owned anyways, oh wait, its not profitable.

I'd appreciate it if you could elaborate on this point-of-view more. Chicago's roads are constantly jammed as it is, so we have an efficiency issue. Aside from the occasional toll bridge, roads aren't profitable. Second, any time the CTA makes a penny in profit, people flip out. I've heard the CTA is legally barred from making a profit, but I can't cite that so we don't need to count it as a legal point. Third, public work pays less than private work, so in the end you've got less-skilled people needing to budget better for a best-case scenario of break-even. How's that supposed to work?

There are a host of factors that aren't directly measurable. No public transit means more cars and more money wasted in expanded roads, which directly creates more sprawl. In my experience, sprawl makes shopping and retail commerce generally a planned event. When I lived in suburbia, I needed a destination to go to the store. When I get off the 'L', I often just pop into stores that look interesting on my way home or to work. It also means more parking garages, which do create some revenue for a city, but the $3 the city collects in tax is likely not close to collecting property and sales tax from a business occupying the same area.

The 'L' moves 535,722 people on an average weekday (transfers factored out). Saturdays and Sundays (total) board 617,504 people on average. The Red Line is the line with the most riders (weekday: 50,042; weekend: 72,570). As of August 2009 at the North/Clyborn station, an 11.2% increase in weekday traffic has been reported over the last year. The average weekday now sees 4,242 people boarding, with Saturday and Sunday seeing 4,656 and 3,450 respectively.

I think the additional tax revenues a city enjoys by making sure public transit exists is justification for the subsidy of the system alone. Of course, I also live in the city and strongly prefer urbanization. I also think Apple got an insanely good deal that will prove quite profitable with direct access to the 29,316 weekly riders who get on at North/Clyborn already. I think we're all confident an Apple store will make this station a destination for more people (and thus, measurable boarding point).

Citation: CTA Ridership Reports (http://www.transitchicago.com/news_initiatives/ridershipreports.aspx)

[sg.hill]

Wait, isn't this the President's home ground? I guess I assumed it was already paridise.

If you consider a 25-minute train ride and 7-minute bus ride home ground. Personally, I wouldn't call something over 30 minutes away my home ground.

[MorphingDragon]

I did. Not for the fact that Apple is upfitting the space, but negative because this is a prime example how taxpayer funds get redirected and what it shouldve been used for suffers. IMHO public transportation should be privately owned anyways, oh wait, its not profitable. Im all for Apple hooking it up, unfortunately this is the result of taxing the living snot out of the high earners to the point they leave, with their tax revenue. In turn, the city/state suffers.

Sometimes you have to dig further into the story to get to the real issues. Kudos for Apple picking up the bill. And you know what the funny thing is, this is actually a round about way of cutting taxes, and it attracted business. Go figure.

Actually, the NZ Rail used to be privately owned. But the government bought it back because thats what we wanted.

[NightFox]

To those expecting or worried about a brand new glass cube station, look at the figures. $3m isn't going to pay for much more than a lick of paint, some new windows and some new light fittings on the platforms. This is going to be a refurbishment, not a redevelopment.

Wonder if Apple will charge a premium for using the station in return for a ticket that looks so much cooler than tickets for the other stations on the line? ;)

[MorphingDragon]

Wonder if Apple will charge a premium for using the station in return for a ticket that looks so much cooler than tickets for the other stations on the line? ;)

Can we stop with these terrible jokes?

[NightFox]

Can we stop with these terrible jokes?

It's unlikely

[Marvy]

Just drag the right corner to the size you like.

Or hit the green "zoom" button (with the "+" inside). The window will resize to fit the screen.

[WG5516]

Great. The cost of macbooks just went up.

I wonder where the homeless winos and hookers will go. :eek:

Actually since Apple runs on cash instead of credit, it's likely we've already paid for this. It's a win, win either way. :apple:

[Willis]

It's like Extreme Makeover Subway Edition.

I'm still laughing after all the other posts. Best pun yet. Train driver, move that train hahahaha

OT: It's good news Apple is doing this. It shows that they aren't just out there for the money in our pockets. Actually thats a lie, but it does so some compassion.

[mac ath]

Did you hear the news!

Microsoft have been rumored to be Refurbishing the public Toilets down the road from the station!

hahahahha this comment was enough to turn a rather ****** day around

[dernhelm]

Nice bookstore in the background there...
:D

[mac ath]

Because they are ruining historic architecture. What if they turned The Acropolis into an Apple store--would you feel the same way?


So the equivalent to an old subway station is the Acropolis?! Your argument is insulting to say at least and it actually shows a person with no historical background whatsoever (although it is the whole historical thing that you are supposed to be sticking up for). Now that being said, as Greek, I wouldn’t mind having an apple store right next to the new Acropolis museum – they would look great next to another.

[mac ath]

At least that would get what's left of the Parthenon fixed!

fixed?! an ancient site?! the whole point of its existance is to not be mixed with anything modern...

[dernhelm]

Or hit the green "zoom" button (with the "+" inside). The window will resize to fit the screen.

No it doesn't. It sizes to contents. This is one of the things Windows switchers really struggle with. But this is entirely off topic here.

[leekohler]

They just dont want there future store across the street from a crap hole.

Exactly- let's hope "refurbish" doesn't mean "teardown". The station is actually really cool-looking structurally.

[alent1234]

NYC does this a lot. if you want a permit to build a new store they will make you fix up some of the surrounding area. there are more than a few subway stations where some of the maintenance is paid for by businesses.

[ericinboston]

Paying city employees to do the interior work? Let's see...that will cost 5x the price, will have numerous faults within 9 months, and probably will look bland. Look for headlines in the Chicago Tribune in 2011. :) I'm being a bit sarcastic here, but a bit truthful.

I hope Apple keeps a watchful eye on those people...seriously.

-Eric

[Bubba Satori]

Can we stop with these terrible jokes?

When they get these responses I'd say they're spot on. Keep'm coming, folks. :D

[Rocketman]

Paying city employees to do the interior work? Let's see...that will cost 5x the price, will have numerous faults within 9 months, and probably will look bland. Look for headlines in the Chicago Tribune in 2011. :) I'm being a bit sarcastic here, but a bit truthful.

I hope Apple keeps a watchful eye on those people...seriously.

-Eric
Agreed. This will be a beautiful store in a profitable area and the store itself will improve the neighborhood.

But any form of project management in Chi-town is rife with corruption, graff, union tricks, and local "flavor".

Rocketman

[Gonzo3333]

They are not going to tear down the entrance to the Clybourn Station. It is about 200 feet from the "new" construction that is going on on the Halsted side of the. I think Apple is going to spend some money to beautify the station rather than re-design and re-build. I also don't ever remember a bus turn around in that area, it use to be a BP gas station. If I remember I will take some pictures of the progress when I am on my way home today.

[iuffxguy]

Gonzo, your right. The Apple store is being built where the BP Gas station used to be. The Bus turnaround is on the southside of the station. Its the first thing you see as your coming up the stairs to leave the place, often where people park their cars waiting to pick people up getting off the L.

[Wotan31]

OT: It's good news Apple is doing this. It shows that they aren't just out there for the money in our pockets. Actually thats a lie, but it does so some compassion.
Um, no. it doesn't. This is a pure profit motive move. They're not doing this to be some benevolent do-gooder. They are a profit-driven corporate entity. Welcome to capitalism. They are doing this boost the "image" of their own store, for the advertising rights within the station, and for the FREE 10 year lease. This is 100% a profit move, if it wasn't profitable for apple (or more profitable than the alternative), they wouldn't be doing it. You can put your rosy colored glasses back on now.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Exactly- let's hope "refurbish" doesn't mean "teardown". The station is actually really cool-looking structurally.

Was wondering when you were going to chime in. :)

I believe I passed by this station on one of my visits to Chicago. An update along the lines of the Apple Store on Regent would be cool IMO. Hopefully without the logos LOL

[DanielSw]

Totally aside from all this chronic quibbling, the fact is that Apple is in the admirable position to actually need to invest in such a venture and be able to pay for such.

This is one of the happy results of having produced good products over the long term and having gotten its corporate act (leadership + teamwork) together to the point of having and executing a brilliant master plan.

It can and will do whatever it takes to make a new Apple store happen to the benefit of the neighborhood around Halsted and Clyburn in the great city of Chicago.

Long live Apple, Inc.!!

[Ericatomars]

That's awesome, I live really close to there, and I heard before that Apple wanted to put a store in that area but I think it conflicted with the Best Buy right there. So the CTA (chicago transit authority) is going to get all this money from Apple but are they still gonna raise our fares and cut service like they threaten to do what seems to be every six months? It would be the ideal area. heavy traffic and people with deep pockets.. I could't even imagine how bad parking would suck. That EL station does need a face lift like most El stations in the city of chicago...

[Gonzo3333]

I also think the City of Chicago has a great deal of respect for historical buildings. The only thing that I can remember that has lost its historical significance is Soldier Field. Soldier Field lost it when it was upgraded with more modern amenities. I think the Clybourn Station is going to be safe, as someone else in earlier posts made note of an Apple Store in the UK that is in an old historical building.

[auh]

this will be awesome! I'm glad to see something will turn that station around. In my opinion its been downhill to the point of no return since Pizza-ria closed. I think other Chicagoans will agree with me on this one

[Kaibelf]

Halsted? As in boystown? Behold the new place to meet gay guys. :D:cool:

Boystown is 0.8 miles of a street that runs through a large portion of Chicago. I guess you're not familiar with the rest of the city....

[Marvy]

No it doesn't. It sizes to contents. This is one of the things Windows switchers really struggle with. But this is entirely off topic here.

Last OT post, I promise: Usually you are right. However in Full Tilt Poker (which the question was referring to) the zoom button actually zooms to the screen size.

[Gonzo3333]

O.K. I am leaving work right now so I'll snap a few pictures of the "progress" with my iPhone. I'll have some pictures up in about an hour.

[cjmillsnun]

You can thank the stringent planning laws in the UK for the fact that it wasn't just more glass and concrete. Even so, Apple managed to gut the insides.

As does every retailer in every town in every country.

Anyway I can give examples in the US too...

http://www.ifoapplestore.com/photos/storefronts/knox_street.jpg

[Gonzo3333]

Here are the pictures I took on my way home from work today. The Clybourn Red Line stop looks pretty rag-tag so the upgrades should be welcome. At most construction sites there is a sign that says what is going to be built. There is no such sign at this construction site, I wonder why??

[Nausicaa]

Nice find. But even after looking at that, I'm still kind of confused how it'll all work out. Are they tearing down and rebuilding it altogether? Where is the Apple store going to be located? And how does the park come into play/located? Like I said, I know the article (tried to) explain it but I'm still kind of confused.

I live a short distance away from the new location and was in the area a few days ago. The building frame is already being constructed. They are building it along Halsted to the east of the little triangle. As far as I could tell, they've done away with the little alley that winds in between the el station and the store. It doesn't look like much space, but it's plenty large to fit a sizable store.

[Nausicaa]

The store is replacing an old BP station that has been fully torn down, with underground tanks excavated, etc. The space between where the store is going up and the L station isn't huge, but enough for a nice amount of greenery and several benches. The open space for the park is to the west of the store, east of the L station. The small size is a plus for wifi: the entire park should be within range of the Apple store's network.

Unfortunately the traffic is so heavy in this area I can't imagine it would be a pleasant place to chill. It's not even a fun place to walk around and shop. Four major thoroughfares all intersecting multiple times in one square block. Huge bottleneck - it's insanity. Better put on some noise isolating earphones!

[Liquidog]

Unfortunately the traffic is so heavy in this area I can't imagine it would be a pleasant place to chill. It's not even a fun place to walk around and shop. Four major thoroughfares all intersecting multiple times in one square block. Huge bottleneck - it's insanity. Better put on some noise isolating earphones!

+1

This is the station I get off at to go to work during the week. The deal with this neighborhood is that Steppenwolf Theatre is located just up Halsted from the new store location, and because Steppenwolf is a nationally acclaimed theatre with a solid reputation, it has attracted a lot of upper-class fancypants stores to the area. That intersection still sucks though. It's kind of weird that it's a huge thoroughfare with skinny narrow sidewalks, yet the whole area is populated with Gap, Banana Republic, JCrew, Crate and Barrel, Whole Foods yadda yadda. I guess rich people don't do much walking.

Anyways, the store will fit right in and I will look forward to the construction causing even more delays and aggravation on the already ridiculously crappy CTA red line. Yay.

[DisMyMac]

NYC does this a lot. if you want a permit to build a new store they will make you fix up some of the surrounding area. there are more than a few subway stations where some of the maintenance is paid for by businesses.

By having a few lawyers present, you can turn corruption and bribery into a legitimate business deal with government. Call it "investment in our future" - not lobbying.

Oh, and if you are an oil or drug company, then you also need pointless prime-time commercials featuring menopausal women babbling about "caring" and "the earth".

A business can't fail this way.

[Rocketman]

Unfortunately the traffic is so heavy in this area I can't imagine it would be a pleasant place to chill. It's not even a fun place to walk around and shop. Four major thoroughfares all intersecting multiple times in one square block. Huge bottleneck - it's insanity. Better put on some noise isolating earphones!

Maybe Apple should be given the long term lease to that intersection madness so they can reengineer and signal it in a way that reduces cuing and improves Apple store access. :)

Rocketman

Mapquest link (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Chicago&state=IL&address=N+Halsted+St+%26+W+Belmont+Ave&zipcode=60657&country=US&latitude=41.93997&longitude=-87.64923&geocode=INTERSECTION#a/maps/m::13:41.911505:-87.649887:0:::::1:1:1::/e)

[Liquidog]

By having a few lawyers present, you can turn corruption and bribery into a legitimate business deal with government. Call it "investment in our future" - not lobbying.

Oh, and if you are an oil or drug company, then you also need pointless prime-time commercials featuring menopausal women babbling about "caring" and "the earth".

A business can't fail this way.

Lol. Nowhere is this more true than in Chicago. However, every once in a while it works out in the public's favor - we'll see if this does. The CTA can use all the help it can get in keeping the aging transportation system online - especially with rate hikes and services cutbacks on the horizon (again.)

[twoodcc]

hey good for them. that needs to be repaired. so now it might have apple ads in there, so what

[kockgunner]

I was digging thorough old bookmarks and I stumbled across this thread.

It's funny seeing the construction photos in this thread and comparing them to what it looks like now. http://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/22/apples-new-lincoln-park-retail-store-in-chicago-opens-tomorrow/