Apple to Dismantle Iconic Glass Cube at Fifth Avenue Store

[MacRumors]

Apple will soon dismantle and remove the iconic glass cube entrance at its Fifth Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan, New York, which is in the process of being renovated and expanded.

On March 16, Apple filed a permit for the "full removal of the glass cubical structure at the Apple Store entrance," which, according to BuildZoom, was granted on April 17. The removal of the cube will cost Apple $2 million, and according to a second source, could commence on May 9.

Apple is planning to expand its Fifth Avenue store to double the size of the original location. The store is growing from 32,000 square feet to 77,000 square feet, giving Apple more space at its flagship New York location.

It is not yet clear what Apple is planning to do with the cube. It could be temporarily removed to allow for construction underneath, or the company could have bigger cube renovation plans in mind.

This will be the second time the cube has been dismantled -- it was torn down in 2011 to allow Apple to reconstruct it from larger, more seamless glass panes. Prior to 2011, the cube was made up of more than 90 glass panes, but the new cube uses just 15.

While construction is underway at the new location, Apple has temporarily relocated the store to a nearby empty storefront that formerly housed the FAO Schwarz toy store.

Apple has not announced when the new store will be complete, but rumors suggest it will have some notable improvements, including a unique area for a Beats 1 radio station that will enable live in-store Beats 1 broadcasts.

Article Link: Apple to Dismantle Iconic Glass Cube at Fifth Avenue Store

 

[btrach144]

Tim Cooking appears to be closing Apple

 

[Appleaker]

I hope they don't get rid of the glowing Apple logo.

 

[now i see it]

Maybe they'll replace the "cube" with a "cylinder".

 

[JPLC]

The way I read it, this time the cube will not return? Idk but I sure hope not. This cube is a monument and its got Steve's name written all over it.

 

[mainer4101]

Maybe this is their way of actively working to address the rumored supply issues for the iPhone 8.

 

[OneZweiThree]

How does the removal of the cube cost $2 million?

 

[Jakexb]

Last time they rebuilt it, they reduced the number of pieces joined together. After their experience building Apple Park, I bet they could get it down to 1 piece per side and a carbon fiber roof.
[doublepost=1492632732][/doublepost]

How does the removal of the cube cost $2 million?

NYC, construction cranes, probably shutting down part of 5th avenue...

 

[LordQ]

Maybe if they are expanding the store, they will expand the cube, making it a cuboid?

 

[sunapple]

Make the Cube floating, come on you have the cash.

 

[69Mustang]

How does the removal of the cube cost $2 million?

Union labor. Kidding. (not really) Just kidding.

 

[mrgraff]

Last time they rebuilt it, they reduced the number of pieces joined together. After their experience building Apple Park, I bet they could get it down to 1 piece per side and a carbon fiber roof.
[doublepost=1492632732][/doublepost]

NYC, construction cranes, probably shutting down part of 5th avenue...

Gimme a sledgehammer, broom, and a dustpan. I'll do the job for just a half-million.

 

[Luap]

Maybe they'll replace it with a Thinner™ one.

 

[meaning-matters]

It was showing cracks like the rest of Apple?

 

[Kaibelf]

Tim Cooking appears to be closing Apple

Based on what? Taking down huge glass structures during extensive construction?

 

[magicschoolbus]

Union labor. Kidding. (not really) Just kidding.

Willing to bet that's 1/3 of the cost.

NYC Unions = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[TheTruth101]

Maybe they'll replace the "cube" with a "cylinder".

Yeah, that is what I was thinking... with a huge trashcan.

 

[applesith]

I live a block away and pass by a few times a day. They recently expanded the construction area to the edges of the street, where now there is a makeshift walk path in the street. It will be interesting to see how the new store looks from above ground. I hope the restore or change the cube and do not entirely remove it.

They definitely needed to rework the entrance/exit, as it was always a cluster mess going in and leaving down the one staircase.

 

[brutedawg]

Maybe they'll replace the "cube" with a "cylinder".

and then back to a cube... with expandability...... and better 3rd party support... and USB-C.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

2 million? I would appraise it, gift it to the Museum of Modern Art, and take the full deduction.

THEN...

Use that money to have a custom OLED (or QLED) panel shaped as the apple logo. The panel would be dynamic, and not static like the one it replaces, displaying imagery limited only by imagination.

 

[Jett0516]

First the headphone jack...now this.

 

[its93rc]

Why don't you dismantle my heart while you're at it too, Tim...?

 

[Gasu E.]

How does the removal of the cube cost $2 million?

The permit is for $2M of renovations. The description on the permit is "full removal of glass cubical structure at apple store entrance". Since there is no other permit, we can only peculate about what is actually covered by the $2M.

 

[Audigy]

$2M? Just give me a hammer...

 

[WordsmithMR]

$2m.... that's insane. I'll remove it for $100k! Hire me.