Apple Proposing a Massive Glass-Roofed Retail Store on the Third Street Promenade

[farmboy]

If Apple can prove it's energy efficiency by actually obtaining a LEED certification I'd be impressed, but it looks like an energy guzzler to me.

You know, you can design and build a completely green building without going through the paperwork and expense of LEED certification, which may or may not have any value beyond bragging rights (some areas give tax breaks), and doesn't necessarily weigh cost/benefits. There is also the issue of LEED not necessarily leading on human health due to extremely tight buildings concentrating chemicals released from building materials, cleaning supplies, etc.

It's not a bad idea, just not fully baked yet.

 

[Rocketman]

You all are ridiculous! Apple isn't stupid! Apple didn't have MacRumors post this to get our feedback and bring out pros and cons...They obviously know about earthquakes, heat, sunlight. (I hope they planned for Tsunamis and forest fires!)-[*sarcasm] I mean seriously, they hire the best architects out there I am sure. They are sitting on $76 Billion in cash and securities what is to stop them from making this possible?

I think I saw earthquake springs in the basement of the Spaceship plan under the lower parking level.

LA has avoided all real risks of Tsunamis because of the shape of the sea shelf.

Apple on openness. Apple is secretive for a reason that has been stated rarely but clearly. To surprise and delite its users.

It's as simple as that.

Even these buildings do that.

Rocketman

 

[satyrica]

I could have sworn Borders was on a corner on Third Street Promenade. This image makes me doubt my memory.

Either way, like others, I'm very curious how an all-glass ceiling will do in terms of light hitting LCD screens and detracting from their 'glory'. Also, it will be extremely difficult to keep all that glass clean. Imagine in three years, when sun and grime has taken its toll. Finally, with the sun beating down on the store all day, they'll have to make up for it with some kind of 'magical' glass or loads of air conditioning, which seems a bit impractical, if not wasteful.

Barnes & Noble is on the corner of 3rd/Wilshire, Borders is about 3 blocks down, mid-block.

 

[MTShipp]

birdsh*t

 

[AidenShaw]

That actually exists... I'd be impressed if they used solar panels. There are solar panels that look much like a glass window, though a bit more frosty that also can auto dim.

If anyone's ever been to one of the huge newer BP locations where the canopy above the gas pumps has the glass tiles, that's what those panes of glass are. One canopy generates enough power in a day to power an entire town (it's fed back into the grid.)

If apple did something like that, I'd be very impressed and they'd be showing a real commitment to being green.

It wouldn't fit with Apple's aesthetic for these "iconic" stores.

Or to translate to Apple fan lingo - "it would be fugly".

LA has avoided all real risks of Tsunamis because of the shape of the sea shelf.

It may lessen the risk of tsunamis from distant earthquakes, but the steep sides of Santa Monica Canyon (the undersea one) and the steep slope of the continental shelf bring the risk of a local tsunami triggered by a large landslide at the canyon or the shelf.

See the 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunami for details about a recent localized tsunami.

 

[ivladster]

Come one people

I just love that everyone is an architect, engineer and and environmental freak here. There are people who went to colleges and schools just to solve problems like these. How do people think a glass skyscraper stays cool and efficient, yet made out of glass too? There are many more ways to solve this problem than complaining on this post.

 

[sclawis300]

Apple Stores are on my "No" list for zombie survival locations.

no way dude, don't they hate bright light? Safe during the day and at night you just have giant spot lights shining in all directions.

 

[sclawis300]

why not just make the roof out of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_glass

 

[Amazing Iceman]

so,

As pointed out to me on twitter, there is a NYC store that's similar, though looks a little smaller

Image

http://www.apple.com/retail/upperwestside/

I wonder why so many people are wearing red sweaters....

 

[Neil Anderson]

Wow!

More windows than Windows!

 

[dabigkahuna]

Remodeling at Ala Moana store in Honolulu

Don't know if it is special in any way, but the Apple store in the Ala Moana Shopping Center (big open air mall) has been going on for quite some time. The store moved to a smaller temporary location a few store fronts down.

It seems to be taking a heck of a long time for any normal remodeling and when I looked in an open back door yesterday, all you could see was a big open space. Couldn't tell anything being done that would take so long, though some construction people were inside.

 

[JHankwitz]

Duh!

Polarized glass? They must have some solution for controlling the amount of sunlight entering the building.

Polarized glass doesn't block green-house effect, it polarizes the light.

Too many negatives to proceed with this idea. Sun = Heat & Glare, Earthquake = Damage & Death, etc. Both conditions are prevelant in that area of the country.

 

[krburrell]

Looks beautiful. Very impressive.

 

[winston1236]

they would have to sell a lot of ipads to cool down what would basically be a greenhouse

 

[Yumunum]

Apple's obsession with glass is both cool looking and scary...

Imagine what could happen to that roof if something went wrong... And then all the people under it

 

[thirteen1031]

I could have sworn Borders was on a corner on Third Street Promenade. This image makes me doubt my memory.

You're thinking of Barnes & Noble That store is on the corner of the Promenade and Wilshire.

----------

Just excuse the question, but how expensive is public transport in that area?

Santa Monica Blue Bus s $1. Extra 50 cents for a transfer.

As for all the heating/cooling/earthquake worry, first, I think Apple kinda knows that a hot, bright, glaring building keeps people out, so I *suspect* they've a way to keep it cool and nicely lit. Otherwise they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. As pointed out, they've already played with other glass buildings, I think they've probably worked out those minor bugs like heat and glare. Second, Santa Monica is incredibly demanding when it comes to building things and very green minded. So Santa Monica will insist it be green even if Apple doesn't already have that in mind--solar panels running the cooling system, or whatever. Apple, in the meantime, started in California, as did Pixar, Job's other company, I *think* they know all about building earthquake safe buildings. This structure will not be allowed if there is even the slightest chance that the roof will come shattering down in shards. I'm sure it'll be extra earthquake safe. Once again, building in Santa Monica means that they'll have to meet some very strict earthquake standards. When the Northridge quake hit, S.M. also got hit as hard if not harder and S.M. earthquake requirements for buildings have been very demanding since then.

So I think we can all stop worrying about such things. This is actually a smart move on Apple's part as the re-vamped mall just off the promenade is doing very well and this would put the Apple store within range of that mall and all it's many visitors.

 

[charlituna]

I like this very much. Sometimes I use the road bike to get to work, meaning 25.5 miles (42 km) in the morning and another 25.5 in the evening through hilly terrain. Obviously I cannot do this every day, but I encourage everyone to give it a try. Environmentally friendly transportation can be fun, really!

Christian

Then you will be pleased to know that Apple has, according to my sources, had the bus subsidy for the last 3years if not longer and the bike subsidy for the last year

Personally I'm wondering if Microsoft is the one behind this. Putting a bigger fancier wow store just a block or two away from a major Apple store in a high traffic area totally sounds like them

I could have sworn Borders was on a corner on Third Street Promenade. This image makes me doubt my memory.

WAS is the key word. Shut down like a year ago. Then the whole company followed suit over the months since then

 

[zen.state]

Apple now officially puts aesthetics before practicality with EVERYTHING. Even the roof of their store now. It's pathetic.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

crystal cathedral. w/ pastor jobs.

Lol, that's a good one.

However, I am glad you brought up the Crystal Cathedral because it's an iconic SoCal building that is almost completely made of glass. Have any of you worshiped there? I have. As far as I know, the building does not have air conditioning. Instead they open two gigantic doors located at the northeast corner of the sanctuary which keeps the building quite comfortable and the few times I have attended services have all been in the summertime.

For those of you unaware, Garden Grove is quite a bit further from the water than Santa Monica. Neither city sees temps much above 80°F (current temps as I write: Garden Grove, 81°F and Santa Monica a sizzling 69°F). We are talking Santa Monica, not Las Vegas. I don't think energy costs will be an overwhelming concern.

Edit:
Confirmed. Crystal Cathedral does not employ air conditioning. From the Crystal Cathedral website:

"Cooling

The Crystal Cathedral is not air conditioned. Rather, it is cooled by fresh air flowing from the ground level through clerestory windows which open and close thermostatically. Heat flows from underground pipes to regulate temperature in the cooler months."

 

[tugs26]

A possible confirmation of Borders acquisition?

Has anyone seen the possible link here with the rumored Borders acquisition? Borders is probably worth nothing to Apple as a company, but it's real estate ownership must be huge, and in some fairly prominent locations. Anyone got further insights here?

 

[Young Spade]

Polarized glass doesn't block green-house effect, it polarizes the light.

Too many negatives to proceed with this idea. Sun = Heat & Glare, Earthquake = Damage & Death, etc. Both conditions are prevelant in that area of the country.

Obviously not enough to stop them from designing the store in that manner. While we're on that subject, do you have a degree in architecture or engineering? Or even physics for that matter?

 

[revelated]

It's been working for them for almost two years-- certainly they've planned for California light, too.

The only way they can plan for "California light" is with frosted glass - which the photo a few posts back appears to use - or deeply tinted glass, which I wouldn't mind. If they use some Llumar 10% they'll be alright.

I actually questioned for years why more businesses don't consider glass ceilings; maybe not full glass, but perhaps rows that are glass, then every so often, regular lighting. The only place I've ever seen this design is at the local Best Buy; so they use natural lighting to light the place up, makes it seem more open. At night is when they turn the lights on.

crystal cathedral. w/ pastor jobs.

Looks like nice use of transparent Aluminum. Love the new look.

Of course the irony of this is that he's talking to a Mac 'n stuff.

 

[Rocketman]

This will just about solve it.

http://inhabitat.com/samsung-unveils-solar-powered-zero-energy-transparent-tv/

 

[filmweaver]

Glass Roof?

I hope they issue SUNBLOCK for employees.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I hope they issue SUNBLOCK for employees.

Don't you think it will be Low E or some high tech protective coating?