Apple's Flagship Regent Street Location in U.K. Reopens October 15

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced that its flagship Regent Street retail location in London, England reopens Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. local time, following over one year of major renovations.

Apple Regent Street with "opening soon" construction barrier in late September (Sebastian Anthony via Twitter)​

Apple contracted award-winning architecture firm Foster and Partners to design the layout of the new store, which initially remained open for business at the basement level but has been fully closed since June 13.

MacRumors exclusively reported on the remodeling plans last year, including the removal of four Apple logos affixed to the store's facade in order to allow more natural light inside and preserve the historic look of the building. Like other renovated stores, Apple Regent Street will feature Apple's next-generation retail design.

Apple Brussels exemplifies Apple's next-generation retail design​

The renovations included the relocation of three columns to create a more spacious feel, replacing the central glass stairs with two new side staircases, and re-configuration of the Backroom with improved facilities for employees. The store's overall square footage has been reduced by 4,400 square feet, or around 25% of the current size.

Apple Regent Street prior to closing for renovations​

Apple Regent Street opened in 2004 and attracts over 4 million visitors per year. The iconic store expanded two years later to become Apple's largest at the time. Apple has contracted Foster and Partners for several other projects in recent years, including the design of its Campus 2 and Apple Union Square.

Article Link: Apple's Flagship Regent Street Location in U.K. Reopens October 15

 

[zorinlynx]

I hope they preserve the look of the building facade. "Modernizing" the look of a store in a historic building is not a good thing.

 

[SSD-GUY]

The regent st store was my first experience of using Apple products. Back then Apple updated Macs. Not anymore though.

 

[Goatllama]

Wait, are there trees inside the store?

 

[Stiss]

I walked past the store the other week and it had a classy black hoarding with a rose gold Apple logo. Very distinctive.
I'll see if I have a pic.

 

[jonnyb]

Hooray - London will be back up to its full complement of locations at which you can't get a Jet Black iPhone.

 

[GeneralChang]

Wow, that Brussels location...

 

[attila]

Only Apple would allow a whopping 25% reduction of space

To be honest, I think this most likely has all the right reasons, and is a brave move!

 

[peterh988]

Just in time for the new MBP launch! (Please!)

 

[Lone Deranger]

Finally. That basement they set up shop in all that time was horrible.

 

[meaning-matters]

I never liked the massive empty space at the door. Empty space can be great, but it didn't feel right here.

 

[Born Again]

Am I the only one that detests going to the Apple store?

Regardless of an appointment it requires traversing large crowds, malls - yuck - parking etc

 

[PJL500]

Wait, are there trees inside the store?

Wait. Did you think they came from supermarkets?

 

[amirite]

Thank god, I hate the covent garden store.

 

[uwdude]

If they are removing the Apple logos from the windows, how can one tell it's an Apple Store? Or excuse me that it's Apple Regent Street, we mustn't use the word store.

 

[Loge]

Only Apple would allow a whopping 25% reduction of space

To be honest, I think this most likely has all the right reasons, and is a brave move!

Courage indeed! That place was always packed, so I'm not convinced reducing the space is a good idea.

 

[isanka]

Finally.

It was a long wait.
Can't wait to go there again.

 

[Born Again]

Finally.

It was a long wait.
Can't wait to go there again.

for what? you can just order online and save yourself the trouble and time.

 

[Brookzy]

"The store's overall square footage has been reduced by 25%" - I assume this means retail space, and the 25% has been reallocated for non-retail space use?

 

[HiVolt]

Next Generation? it's still the same old tables...

What Apple seriously needs to do is divide and organize the genius bar from the hordes looking at the products...

Every time I have to go the Apple Store genius bar, it's a nightmare experience due to the noise and crowd.

 

[hppy29]

I hope they preserve the look of the building facade. "Modernizing" the look of a store in a historic building is not a good thing.

The front of the store won't change very much, Regent street is owned by the queen and managed by Crown Estates on her behalf.

Many years ago I opened a store on Regent Street the restrictions are huge..

 

[Brookzy]

Next Generation? it's still the same old tables...

What Apple seriously needs to do is divide and organize the genius bar from the hordes looking at the products...

Every time I have to go the Apple Store genius bar, it's a nightmare experience due to the noise and crowd.

+1

As controversial as it sounds, I would totally support removing the Genius Bar from stores, and moving to a setup where technical service and support, and retail, are at separate locations.

The Apple Watch stores, e.g. at Selfridges in London, are so much nicer to shop in because there is no Genius Bar.

Covent Garden deals with it better then most because the Genius Bar is on its own floor. Mall stores on the other hand, where space is constrained, are terrible.

 

[Freida]

I walked by few days ago at night time when the construction workers were offloading delivery (most likely tables) so I had sneak peak inside. Yes, it does have trees there and it looks totally different. I didn't recognise it at all. It did look gorgeous though so I'm curious to see the final thing.

 

[Reason077]

Y'know, just a wild guess, but I don't think the Regent Street store is going to reopen looking much like the Brussels one

I'm sure it'll be cool in it's own way, though.
[doublepost=1475512363][/doublepost]

I hope they preserve the look of the building facade. "Modernizing" the look of a store in a historic building is not a good thing.

Don't worry - Westminster's planning inspectors would have a fit if Apple did anything like that. It's a listed (protected) building.

I believe the renovation will actually return the facade to a more original/historic look (removing the Apple logos etc).

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Wait, are there trees inside the store?

Yes and it's beautiful. Indoor greenery is always welcome, especially when done well.
[doublepost=1475512413][/doublepost]

I hope they preserve the look of the building facade. "Modernizing" the look of a store in a historic building is not a good thing.

The exterior would be listed. The fussy windows wouldn't be. Removing the four Apple logos and getting rid of the window sections and replacing each with simple glass windows filling each entire arch will help the old architecture sing. As will removing some upstairs floor space to let more natural light flood the down stairs interior space.