Apple to Renovate Iconic Fifth Avenue Store, Temporarily Relocate to FAO Schwarz Building

[MacRumors]

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York City will soon close for renovations and temporarily relocate to the soon-to-be-vacated FAO Schwarz toy store in the General Motors Building, according to the Associated Press. The report does not offer a timeline for the renovation plans.

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store, left, and nearby FAO Schwarz store, far right (Flickr)​

FAO Schwarz, the oldest toy store in the United States, is set to vacate its ground-level store in the General Motors Building in July 2015 due to the rising cost of rent. The storefront is located just steps away from the current Apple Store at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue, so the temporary move should be rather seamless.

Apple reportedly plans to renovate about 20 existing retail stores in the United States to accommodate for increased foot traffic, with many stores set to double in size. Apple's flagship Regent Street store in United Kingdom is among the stores that will be renovated, while San Francisco's Union Square store will be relocated.

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue retail store was last renovated in 2011 when larger, seamless panes of glass were installed. The renovation was completed in November 2011, with before and after pictures and a YouTube video providing a good look at the transition to a more seamless design.

Article Link: Apple to Renovate Iconic Fifth Avenue Store, Temporarily Relocate to FAO Schwarz Building

 

[kybldmstr]

Goes to buy Apple Watch from super expensive toy store (ironic)

 

[tann]

That's annoying! Visiting NYC in Aug and this was one of my stops!!!

 

[jayducharme]

Business must be really good....

It's hard to believe that it's already been four years since the 5th Avenue cube was re-built. It seems like just a year ago or so. With Apple's growth since then, it makes sense that their flagship stores should get an overhaul. I wonder how they're going to improve on the cube. Maybe they'll 3D print one as a single block of glass.

 

[WildCowboy]

That's annoying! Visiting NYC in Aug and this was one of my stops!!!

Current store will likely still be open in August...FAO Schwarz doesn't close until July 15, and then it'll have to be prepped for Apple.

 

[pacmania1982]

I was just there on Saturday just gone. I'm all for making it bigger, its sooo crowded in there.

Nice place to stop and use the WiFi to upload videos of the city though. They have great bandwidth!

Note: The pic used in this article sucks - feel free to use this one!

 

[MaskedPhantom]

I wonder what twenty stores will be getting an overhaul. I really wish they would focus on remodeling the rest of the early black framed, wood floor stores so that all storefronts would sport the modern 2.0 design.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

I was there a couple of weeks ago. It's a beautiful store, but way too crowded. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the store larger to accommodate more people.

 

[citysnaps]

A "problem" Microsoft will never have to face.

 

[zorinlynx]

I can't believe FAO is closing. That store has been there for ages. Sure, Apple stores are nice but they are everywhere; there's only one FAO Schwartz.

 

[satcomer]

If it like other Apple Stores I have been to it most likely people hanging out for the free wi-Fi or surf on the unlocked Macs.

Apple really needs to stop stuff like this and figure out to stop these vampires.

 

[wombat94]

Note: The pic used in this article sucks - feel free to use this one!

I'll just point out that the pic in the article "sucks" if you just want to see a picture of the Apple Store Cube... but it was specifically chosen to show the proximity of the FAO store to the Apple store (as pointed out in the caption on the photo)

 

[Rogifan]

I still wonder exactly what Jony Ive's role is regarding Apple stores. In that memo Tim Cook sent out regarding his promotion he said Ive's duties have expanded to include the "look and feel of Apple stores". Does that mean he's involved in store redesigns like this?

 

[HenryDJP]

That's annoying! Visiting NYC in Aug and this was one of my stops!!!

Well I suppose they could've done the renovations and relocation during the Holidays. That's more likely to be very convenient for most.

 

[b0fh666]

this is sad.

 

[HenryDJP]

I wish they would do something with the San Francisco flagship store. It's very long in the tooth and in a very inconvenient location.

EDIT: Oh I see that it does mention SF being relocated. I just wish they would make it more of a landmark design like the New York store.

 

[spencers]

5th Av store needs it. Too damn crowded in there to have a good experience.

 

[kds1]

I was just in there yesterday after work. I hate going to that store. Super crowded (though yesterday when I went it was unusually not so crowded) and jam packed with tourists. But, it's the closest store to where I live, so it's convenient. Being close to the only 24hr store has been convenient too. I hope they somehow can make it bigger.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

If it like other Apple Stores I have been to it most likely people hanging out for the free wi-Fi or surf on the unlocked Macs.

Apple really needs to stop stuff like this and figure out to stop these vampires.

Why? It builds up good feelings to Apple, and it doesn't hurt me.

Stores that kick people out build up bad feelings and press.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

That's annoying! Visiting NYC in Aug and this was one of my stops!!!

There's always:

• New York, Fifth Avenue
• New York, Grand Central
• New York, SoHo
• New York, Upper East Side
• New York, Upper West Side
• New York, West 14th Street
• Staten Island, Staten Island

Except the Fifth Avenue store is one of the coolest around. Upper West Side is pretty cool IMO.

 

[Laird Knox]

A "problem" Microsoft will never have to face.

It wasn't all that long ago the same was said of Apple.

 

[TallManNY]

I bet Apple does something in the FAO Schwarz store to reference back to the Toys. Maybe a panel of iPads that you can play like a piano.

 

[satcomer]

Why? It builds up good feelings to Apple, and it doesn't hurt me.

Stores that kick people out build up bad feelings and press.

I didn't say kick people out, good try. I meant if they lock their wi-Fi to be only be given to customers who are doing one and one shopping & Macs in the floor. I am tired of blog lists speaking about writing posts from inside a Store and such! I call those king of people 'vampires' instead of calling them leaches.

 

[bking10]

I didn't say kick people out, good try. I meant if they lock their wi-Fi yo be only be given to customers who are doing one and one shopping & Macs in the floor. I am tired of blog lists speaking about writing posts from inside a Store and such! I call those king of people 'vampires' instead of calling them leaches.

Maybe they want people coming into their stores? even if it is just to use wifi

 

[Thunderhawks]

I still wonder exactly what Jony Ive's role is regarding Apple stores. In that memo Tim Cook sent out regarding his promotion he said Ive's duties have expanded to include the "look and feel of Apple stores". Does that mean he's involved in store redesigns like this?

All employees will have to be thinner.