Apple's New Lincoln Park Retail Store in Chicago Opens Tomorrow

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to open its new Lincoln Park retail store in Chicago tomorrow at 10:00 AM, an event that will mark the debut of a yet another of Apple's "significant" stores that are meant to provide an iconic presence for the company. ChicagoNow and ifoAppleStore offer a sneak peek at the new store and the unique arrangement that has seen Apple construct a public plaza and refurbish a run-down subway station next door to the tune of nearly $4 million.

As ChicagoNow notes, the new Lincoln Park store offers three entrances, suiting the building's siting on a triangle of land.

At the North Avenue entrance - conveniently on the north side of the building, it's all about retail. That's where you go in to see every single product Apple sells. The south entrance is the Clybourn entrance, and it's there you go to learn via One To One or a workshop. And then there's the center entrance facing the CTA station and new public space which features a courtyard with tables, benches, a fountain and Wi-Fi.

ifoAppleStore points out that the store offers a few hidden elements, including stockroom and other support functions being hidden away in a basement, along with a green roof.

The building has a green roof that helps keep the interior cooler and generates a little oxygen for Chicago. The roof also serves another purpose: it collects rainwater that is used to water the landscaping in the plaza. Signs within the plantings warn visitors not to drink the runoff.

As for the train station next door, Apple has paid to spruce up the 1940s-era building inside and out, refocusing the station's pedestrian flow to bring riders through the public plaza between the station and Apple store. In exchange for its contribution to the station's renovation, Apple has advertising rights within the station and on the platform, along with the right of first refusal should the Chicago Transit Authority decide in the future to sell naming rights to its stations.

Article Link: Apple's New Lincoln Park Retail Store in Chicago Opens Tomorrow

 

[brianbobcat]

I've been watching this store go from a closed gas station through construction to what it is today. I'll be there at 5 today and will be there through to the opening. Hope to see you all there!

-Brian

 

[williej81]

Well, obviously, we have an Apple Store in Lincoln Park....

 

[iChick23]

Well, obviously, we have an Apple Store in Lincoln Park....

Damnit! I was going to say this.

 

[batchtaster]

Heh. Linkin Park.

 

[rgarjr]

are the walls really made out of stainless steel?

 

[Laird Knox]

I've been watching this store go from a closed gas station through construction to what it is today. I'll be there at 5 today and will be there through to the opening. Hope to see you all there!

-Brian

What, wut? You are standing in line for a store opening?

 

[Tofaha]

where's the parking?

 

[ds0]

Well, obviously, we have an Apple Store in Lincoln Park....

So you better hide your Shuffles, hide your Nanos, and hide your MacBooks 'cause they sellin' everything out there.

 

[L-U-R-C-H]

Haha is this the same Lincoln Park!? Apple you better hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husbands cuz they're rapin' erybody out here!

 

[Creator3571]

Wow very nice! it's great that they updated the subway station as well!

 

[ineedamac]

I've been watching this store go from a closed gas station through construction to what it is today. I'll be there at 5 today and will be there through to the opening. Hope to see you all there!

Have fun. It is nice to see Apple refurbish the old gas station and the subway stop.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Ah good old Apple doing whatever they can to improve aesthetics around the Apple store, even if it means spending extra money to redo a subway stop

 

[tempusfugit]

This is pretty awesome. I will definitely check it out tomorrow.

 

[Boston007]

Well, obviously, we have an Apple Store in Lincoln Park....

We gon' find you!
We gon' find you!
Run and tell that!
Run and tell that!
Homeboy, home home homeboy!

 

[yg17]

He is pleased. Much better than a rapist in Lincoln Park.

 

[patrick0brien]

About time, the parking for Michigan avenue sucked.

(plenty of parking on Halsted BTW)

 

[blackpond]

It's been a pleasure to watch this company rise out of obscurity and into the mainstream. This underdog to greatness story is largely what keeps me so interested. Simply amazing.

 

[Digitalclips]

Talking of new Apple stores, I lost track of the Microsoft Store story. How are they doing and how many of them are there now?

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Sweeettt!!!! I love the location. Woohoo Apple store by when Im in chicago every 6 months!!! Go Chi-Town!!

 

[MotleyGrrl]

Haha love the Lincoln Park references, but this is a different LP

 

[blackpond]

Talking of new Apple stores, I lost track of the Microsoft Store story. How are they doing and how many of them are there now?

"Today, it's got a grand total of four stores, with three more set to open in time for the Kinect launch on November 3rd. That's pathetic."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...oft-needs-to-open-way-more-stores-2010-10.DTL

 

[knemonic]

Wow very nice! it's great that they updated the subway station as well!

You should of seen that stop before they did. If they didn't update it, it would of felt like apple put their store in the ghetto when you were walking out of it.

I'm stoked cause the Mich Ave store is such a pain in the butt with all the barbie dolls getting in my way of the store. This store is boom, right off the stop.

 

[Bonch]

Graffiti + Stainless Steel =

 

[Dr McKay]

I've been watching this store go from a closed gas station through construction to what it is today. I'll be there at 5 today and will be there through to the opening. Hope to see you all there!

-Brian

You're standing in line......

To see the store open?