Flagship Apple Store Possibly Still Planned at Yonge-Bloor in Toronto

[V.K.]

It's still a rumour.

Yes it's still a rumor but it should be possible to figure out the time frame anyway. I just did.
The One website lists the completion date as early 2020. So if an Apple Store is going to be there then we are looking at 2020-2021. And we'll know one way or the other way before then.

Will a new flagship store keep the canadians frome coming to the US? They come by the droves to the Apple store at the Galleria Mall just outside Buffalo.

Those people aren't from Toronto but from much closer to the border. Nobody from Toronto is going to drive to Buffalo to visit an Apple store, no matter how nice looking, when we do have several of them right here.

 

[Stella]

Will a new flagship store keep the canadians frome coming to the US? They come by the droves to the Apple store at the Galleria Mall just outside Buffalo.

Its not worth buying much from the u.s at the moment due to the exchange rate. Galleria Mall is in need of a serious clean up / make over, much like what has happened to YorkDale Mall in the last decade.

 

[lunarworks]

STC ... yeah right. It's at the edge of the main Toronto location, Highway exit is horrible especially during rush hours which lasts for hours btw. Scarborough's TTC RT is a joke for transport (is not to be replaced by Metrolinx for another 8yrs). Not to mention the reasons for an in-mall dedicated Toronto Police station - the only Mall in Toronto to have one. STC is a bad location.

Yorkdale Mall is being rebuilt along with an entire new neighborhood being built up with Condo's and Townhomes around it. Although the Allen Rd is overly congested it's small and is NOT the only highway to reach it. 2 exists from 401 heading Eastbound to get to the mall (directly or from Dufferin), 1 exit from Allen Rd (North/South), and another from 401 West. There is also Dufferin and Wilson Streets that can reach the mall, It's not too far West and there is Go Transit and TTC terminal connected to the Mall ... not to mention the new extension for TTC up to Hwy 7! It's a great location HUGE parking lot that equals STC's size and large walkways. Since Yorkdale is being rebuilt all over Apple has a very unique opportunity to increase the current store there - even relocate it.

That are of the city is scarce for library's as well so the new Apple Today learning would have a huge impact amongst youth and other consumers.

The One at Yonge & Bloor although a great location to the North PATH walkway (which is very limited and does NOT connect to the larger downtown PATH), and on the North/South/East/West TTC Subway Line 1 & 2 ... parking, traffic on the main streets or coming off the DVP is a horrible nightmare. Actually Parking which is just south of The One may not be there for much longer and is VERY small!

I hope Apple bails from this location ... the condo's there are ridiculously priced as well.

Yorkdale Mall is the best location:
Parking
Location - Public Transit (soon to be 2 major East/West subway railways to get there, and on the main West North Line 1), 5 Bus routes can get you there, if not more.
Advantage larger retail space with more customization leeway.

Yes, because all those people who live in all the condo towers downtown, in places like The Annex or Rosedale, office workers on lunch, and students from U of T, Ryerson, and OCAD want to take the subway all the way to Yorkdale.

I mean sure, Yorkdale's better if you live in the suburbs and your life revolves around a car... but that's not 21st century Toronto. Yorkdale's location is already like twice the size of the Eaton Centre location anyway.

 

[BuffaloTF]

Will a new flagship store keep the canadians frome coming to the US? They come by the droves to the Apple store at the Galleria Mall just outside Buffalo.

Doubt it ever would. There's one in Hamilton already. Anything closer to that, possible even including Hamilton, you're going to save money buying with USD here, and if you have other shopping to do you stand to save considerably. An iPhone alone will save you 50 bucks on the base X, the toll to cross the bridge is only 4 (only pay once too)... add in some clothes and you come out really far ahead.

I think the exchange rate needs to tip quite a bit more before that trend ends. But there's a lot of things that make sense to go to Canada to buy. Prices are sometimes the same "cost", 100 USD here, 100 CAD there. Exchange rate that and it's like 80 dollars instead.
[doublepost=1515101219][/doublepost]

Its not worth buying much from the u.s at the moment due to the exchange rate. Galleria Mall is in need of a serious clean up / make over, much like what has happened to YorkDale Mall in the last decade.

But they did make over the whole mall over the past decade? Right down to ripping out the floor...

 

[JohnDoe98]

is this a plan to relocate a current store or to open a new one?

 

[slicecom]

Isn't this a bit close to the Eaton Centre? Why not move to a larger location within that, at the street level, as close to the square as possible? Certainly the H&M fad is over with, give them the boot.

This isn’t close to the Eaton Centre. It’s right on the north edge of downtown, Eaton Centre is in the heart of downtown. I’d love to see a more unique flagship design though, not something in the base of a tower.

 

[L-Viz]

Today I went to my local Apple Store. They didn't have the Mac mini on Display. It is like they don't want you to buy Macs any more.

Apple Stores have become boring.

 

[ipedro]

It's still a rumour.

It’s listed in the official documents submitted to the city. Far more than a rumour, this is as close to official confirmation as it gets short of Apple making the announcement themselves.
[doublepost=1515108919][/doublepost]

Yes it's still a rumor but it should be possible to figure out the time frame anyway. I just did.
The One website lists the completion date as early 2020. So if an Apple Store is going to be there then we are looking at 2020-2021. And we'll know one way or the other way before then.

The condos don’t need to be ready for occupation before the retail opens on the ground floor. The building is now under construction. It’s only 4 floors below grade so excavation will be relatively quick. The tower will be well on its way up by this time next year with glazing being added as it rises.

I can imagine a scenario where the Apple Store opens for holiday season 2019 while interior construction on the suites continues into 2020.

 

[megagene]

This is good news, I guess. I currently go to Eaton Centre store all the time (just went there 2 days ago, in fact) and it is ALWAYS jam packed with people and getting help with an issue in a timely fashion is almost impossible. Comparatively speaking, the new Samsung store is gorgeous. It's enormous, 2 floors, and super modern and clean looking. Too bad it's still years off from completion (assuming it's going to be built at all).

 

[Stella]

Yorkdale is in way better condition than Walden galleria, which looks very rundown in comparison.

Doubt it ever would. There's one in Hamilton already. Anything closer to that, possible even including Hamilton, you're going to save money buying with USD here, and if you have other shopping to do you stand to save considerably. An iPhone alone will save you 50 bucks on the base X, the toll to cross the bridge is only 4 (only pay once too)... add in some clothes and you come out really far ahead.

I think the exchange rate needs to tip quite a bit more before that trend ends. But there's a lot of things that make sense to go to Canada to buy. Prices are sometimes the same "cost", 100 USD here, 100 CAD there. Exchange rate that and it's like 80 dollars instead.
[doublepost=1515101219][/doublepost]

But they did make over the whole mall over the past decade? Right down to ripping out the floor...

 

[xraydoc]

I'm 10 minutes away from my Apple Store with no plans to move (I'm retired).

Something the critics may be unaware of, but for the last 25 years or so, millennials and baby boomer retirees have been taking up residence in core downtown areas where high end shopping, dining and entertainment (including a 21 screen theater) are within easy walking distance.

In Spokane Washington (metro pop: ~500,000) the former Macy's building is being converted to an 11 story luxury apartment complex. The Ridpath, a classic multi-story hotel, is being converted as well. They will join about 3,000 downtown apartment/condo conversions.

Since the 1970s Spokane's downtown (circa 1900) has been revitalized by a 200 acre riverside park, upscale shopping mall and dining, with a new 20,000 seat arena (with professional arena football, hockey and major "Star" attractions) and a convention center. Two 1920s theaters have been renovated and become civic opera/thespian venues. All within a 10 square block area adjacent to the Spokane river. Located on the periphery of the downtown are 3 university campuses (Gonzaga, Washington State and Eastern Washington State).

Empty/unused multi-story commercial buildings from the early 1900s are being converted to residential use.

My point to all of the above is that the Spokane Apple Store is the second highest grossing Store in Washington. It is located in a downtown demographic with an above average revenue.

Noting where Apple is locating its Stores I believe Apple is addressing this migration (by millennials and retirees) from the outskirts of town to city centers. Could this migration be behind the relabelling of Apple Stores to Apple Town Squares with a more open, spacious design?

Hope it’s true. Moving to Charlottesville, VA. Only thing missing is an Apple Store.

 

[HiVolt]

There's nowhere else to put it in the east end other than STC, if they want it indoors...

Maybe in the Warden/Eglinton outdoor shopping centre, but it would have to be its own store.

 

[ipedro]

Will a new flagship store keep the canadians frome coming to the US? They come by the droves to the Apple store at the Galleria Mall just outside Buffalo.

There are 5 Apple Stores in the Greater Toronto Area, 10 of them in the wider Golden Horseshoe area. They're not going to Buffalo for lack of Apple Stores. It’s for the exchange rate.

 

[SidricTheViking]

Is it just me or does the strange typo on the plans not raise some suspicions? “SPACE FOE APPLE RISERS...” F..O..E? Shouldn’t that be FOR? Just asking.....

 

[Maury]

When this building first started construction *years* ago, and was still a hole in the ground, my friend and I was staring down into it from the aboveground parking lot on the south side. He told me then that the first floor was going to be an Apple Store, so it's not like this was a secret or anything.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Yes, because all those people who live in all the condo towers downtown, in places like The Annex or Rosedale, office workers on lunch, and students from U of T, Ryerson, and OCAD want to take the subway all the way to Yorkdale.

I mean sure, Yorkdale's better if you live in the suburbs and your life revolves around a car... but that's not 21st century Toronto. Yorkdale's location is already like twice the size of the Eaton Centre location anyway.

The Annex is on the Dupont station which is VERY close to Yorkdale mall. Considering early morning Rush hour and late afternoon rush hour Yorkdale is faster to reach. remember you're on the side of Queen by University not Yonge ... so either you get off and take a streetcar or you loop around to Queen station. Good rebuttal there. Most of the yuppies in The Annex avoid busy shopping crowds, it's their nature (preference to browsing easily less stress more engaging and well showing off). Rosedalers may prefer Eaton Centre due to proximity but I can assure you many are not liking the busy crowds of Eaton Centre.

Apple can place their head store for Toronto pretty much anywhere within Toronto ... and people will go to that location. If it's tiny like Eaton Centre doesn't make any sense ... that's why there is 5 locations around Toronto in the very first place. U of T students go anywhere they need to ... their youth and don't care about allegiance to a single mall.

Yorkdale is NOT in the suburbs it's North York lol. I've lived in North York from 1980 - 1992 when it would've been considered at the edge of the suburbs (Bathurst North of Steeles was a dirt hill I used to ride a motorcross on when I was 10yrs old: '83). That was before the condos built there, the Toys R US, The Promenade mall, the highschools there, many townhomes there as well before Centre street was a decent driveable street. If York U being rebuilt is any indication along with the extended subway line ... it's not a suburb.

Which suburb do YOU know where a major city subway line runs through? Hmm.

 

[lunarworks]

The Annex is on the Dupont station which is VERY close to Yorkdale mall. Considering early morning Rush hour and late afternoon rush hour Yorkdale is faster to reach. remember you're on the side of Queen by University not Yonge ... so either you get off and take a streetcar or you loop around to Queen station. Good rebuttal there. Most of the yuppies in The Annex avoid busy shopping crowds, it's their nature (preference to browsing easily less stress more engaging and well showing off). Rosedalers may prefer Eaton Centre due to proximity but I can assure you many are not liking the busy crowds of Eaton Centre.

Apple can place their head store for Toronto pretty much anywhere within Toronto ... and people will go to that location. If it's tiny like Eaton Centre doesn't make any sense ... that's why there is 5 locations around Toronto in the very first place. U of T students go anywhere they need to ... their youth and don't care about allegiance to a single mall.

Yorkdale is NOT in the suburbs it's North York lol. I've lived in North York from 1980 - 1992 when it would've been considered at the edge of the suburbs (Bathurst North of Steeles was a dirt hill I used to ride a motorcross on when I was 10yrs old: '83). That was before the condos built there, the Toys R US, The Promenade mall, the highschools there, many townhomes there as well before Centre street was a decent driveable street. If York U being rebuilt is any indication along with the extended subway line ... it's not a suburb.

Which suburb do YOU know where a major city subway line runs through? Hmm.

You're still in the Rob Ford camp of not understanding 21st century urbanism here. Let me show you some flagship stores:

Notice something in common? They're not in malls, they're in bustling city centres. People have moved back into the city cores since the '90s, and yes, I do consider the area around Yorkdale to be suburban compared to downtown. And I grew up in Oakville and live in Scarborough.

Look at all dem bungalows.

 

[Inky69]

I find the early "leaked" report of push back by The One condominium residents/potential residents (I'm unsure if anyone has fully moved in yet as it's still under construction on the south side). Most likely those residents use an iPhone and Mac products

Agreed! Apple NEEDS a much larger, 2-storey retail space in Toronto. In comparison to Eaton Centre and Fairview Mall, close to where I live, I'd say each are very close in size, yet the traffic in Eaton Centre is just ridiculous.

I find the early "leaked" report of push back by The One condominium residents/potential residents (I'm unsure if anyone has fully moved in yet as it's still under construction on the south side). Most likely those residents use an iPhone and Mac products.

Apple needs that open learning space now being built into new stores. Someone mentioned a stand-alone retail space ... which is a good idea (owning the property) yet where in Toronto would have the best location to reach all consumers that drive or take public transit that is easy to know and get to in all seasons?



Are you smoking something? STC ... the one mall in the entire GTA that has a resident Police Station within it due to many reasons: Theft & Violence amongst teens over 12yrs now. No ... STC would be a horrible location! The retail price would be cheap of course but the traffic doesn't do any better than Fairview mall. Far too many authorized retailers there along with Telus Mobility Toronto HQ just across the street as well. The location is NOT easy to get to via public transit ... not that TTT-RT which is slow as molasses and carries less than half the people in a regular TTC subway car. Highway exit and entrance into the mall is the worst design in the entire city as well.

Maybe after Metrolinx replaces that whole rail in about 8yrs.



Too expensive and proper location would be the key to keeping this from happening.



STC ... yeah right. It's at the edge of the main Toronto location, Highway exit is horrible especially during rush hours which lasts for hours btw. Scarborough's TTC RT is a joke for transport (is not to be replaced by Metrolinx for another 8yrs). Not to mention the reasons for an in-mall dedicated Toronto Police station - the only Mall in Toronto to have one. STC is a bad location.

Yorkdale Mall is being rebuilt along with an entire new neighborhood being built up with Condo's and Townhomes around it. Although the Allen Rd is overly congested it's small and is NOT the only highway to reach it. 2 exists from 401 heading Eastbound to get to the mall (directly or from Dufferin), 1 exit from Allen Rd (North/South), and another from 401 West. There is also Dufferin and Wilson Streets that can reach the mall, It's not too far West and there is Go Transit and TTC terminal connected to the Mall ... not to mention the new extension for TTC up to Hwy 7! It's a great location HUGE parking lot that equals STC's size and large walkways. Since Yorkdale is being rebuilt all over Apple has a very unique opportunity to increase the current store there - even relocate it.

That are of the city is scarce for library's as well so the new Apple Today learning would have a huge impact amongst youth and other consumers.

The One at Yonge & Bloor although a great location to the North PATH walkway (which is very limited and does NOT connect to the larger downtown PATH), and on the North/South/East/West TTC Subway Line 1 & 2 ... parking, traffic on the main streets or coming off the DVP is a horrible nightmare. Actually Parking which is just south of The One may not be there for much longer and is VERY small!

I hope Apple bails from this location ... the condo's there are ridiculously priced as well.

Yorkdale Mall is the best location:
Parking
Location - Public Transit (soon to be 2 major East/West subway railways to get there, and on the main West North Line 1), 5 Bus routes can get you there, if not more.
Advantage larger retail space with more customization leeway.

[doublepost=1515215221][/doublepost]The One isn’t even a hole in the ground yet. I walked by there a week ago. All they have done in the past year is tear down the old two story building that was there.

 

[Lannoc]

Doubt it ever would. There's one in Hamilton already. Anything closer to that, possible even including Hamilton, you're going to save money buying with USD here, and if you have other shopping to do you stand to save considerably. An iPhone alone will save you 50 bucks on the base X, the toll to cross the bridge is only 4 (only pay once too)... add in some clothes and you come out really far ahead.

I think the exchange rate needs to tip quite a bit more before that trend ends. But there's a lot of things that make sense to go to Canada to buy. Prices are sometimes the same "cost", 100 USD here, 100 CAD there. Exchange rate that and it's like 80 dollars instead.
[doublepost=1515101219][/doublepost]

But they did make over the whole mall over the past decade? Right down to ripping out the floor...

Where is the Apple Store in Hamilton?

 

[Inky69]

If you want a flagship store in Toronto , Bloor Street West from Yonge to east of St George station is the place. Yonge and Bloor subway lines intersect there. The city has renovated the sidewalks to slate grey stone with wide walkways. There are many high end stores along that stretch and money to go with it . Add that to the condo development taking over most of Yonge Street south of Bloor, one city block at a time. The only other place I could see is Queen or Dundas and Yonge. Then knife the Eatons store baby

 

[DeepIn2U]

[doublepost=1515215221][/doublepost]The One isn’t even a hole in the ground yet. I walked by there a week ago. All they have done in the past year is tear down the old two story building that was there.

You walked by the wrong building lol.

The One is over 20 storeys already as a frame and windows filled on the outside of each storey. The concourse and upper two-4 levels are empty and nobody has moved in yet.

Late spring 2017 from the 69FL of BMO I could see The One being built and BMO is at King & Bay st. Not sure what building you walked by lol.
[doublepost=1515222286][/doublepost]

You're still in the Rob Ford camp of not understanding 21st century urbanism here. Let me show you some flagship stores:

Notice something in common? They're not in malls, they're in bustling city centres. People have moved back into the city cores since the '90s, and yes, I do consider the area around Yorkdale to be suburban compared to downtown. And I grew up in Oakville and live in Scarborough.

Look at all dem bungalows.

Man you were standing in front of me saying anything about Rob Ford with my name in it I’d slap you (lol, kidding but I’m no alcoholic crack smoking person) cause I have no love and never did. Just cause I live in Toronto doesn’t mean I care for Ford.

On that not Ford didn’t allow more malls to be built it was condos.

NY City Apple Store is underground and looks like it’s connected by a walkway to other stores - yet I don’t know.

Problem with your analogy is:
There are no historical landmarks in Toronto that will ever get approved nor have the size for Apple to remake. His is a trend for Apple lately.

Secondly property in Toronto on major streets or intersections is VERY scarce and usually occupied by malls or condominiums. If you live in Toronto and travelled anywhere in the main heart of the core of Toronto (and not GTA) you’d not make that comparison. Unless a bank, condo, mall or major store exists, then either a hotel or some other private building exists in the core of Toronto.

Cheers.
[doublepost=1515224190][/doublepost]

.

I never advocated Scarborough nor Oakville (which is 2 Burroughs west of Yorkdale about 20kms) and Scarborough I love on the edge of - STC I’ve already stated was a bad location just based on the mall and highway. So we’re in agreement there.

@Inky69,
The One currently - view 1 block south of Yonge and bloor on Yonge and Charles. Where is the hole in the ground you’re talking about seeing?
https://goo.gl/images/rF5o4Z

 

[Dekema2]

I'm just curious what they would have at an "flagship" Apple store to make you drive 2 hours to see it vs a regular Apple store that's already in Buffalo?

There's no way I would take a trip up there just to see that store. I meant passing through it if I'm ever around there for something else.

Still you have a point, it's a regular Apple Store but a lot bigger.

 

[pwingert]

The Pedestrian traffic and Revenue per user along with an average income in the areas of $150,000 per person this makes so much sense.

 

[BuffaloTF]

This isn’t close to the Eaton Centre. It’s right on the north edge of downtown, Eaton Centre is in the heart of downtown. I’d love to see a more unique flagship design though, not something in the base of a tower.

You can’t be serious. It’s a 20 minute walk from Queen to Bloor. I suppose you could even hop the subway and be there in about 2 minutes too.
[doublepost=1515383510][/doublepost]

Where is the Apple Store in Hamilton?

Sorry. Burlington, specifically. Mapleview.

 

[sinned72]

Just an FYI - The One (as it is officially called currently) is the development on the southwest corner at address One Bloor West and opposite your picture of One Bloor East.

The site of The One was formerly the location of Stollery's primarily (plus several other buildings south on Yonge street.)

Of all the places in downtown-ish Toronto, I would probably rate this as a higher than likely location for a flagship Apple Store (or rather Apple Town Square)

I think there may have been some fire with the rumours around the north Eaton Centre location that Samsung is now in but I suspect that Apple did not offer as much to CF or rather CF new they could get someone who would pay more just because of 'location, location, location' (Apple's usually position as a de facto anchor would be lost since they are already there and unlikely to leave so CF could hold out more.)

Cheers