Jony Ive Says Apple's New Flagship Chicago Store is About 'Reviving Important Urban Connections'

[mudflap]

OMG you people will find a reason to complain about anything.

 

[imaynotbearobot]

Apple today previewed its new Michigan Avenue store along the Chicago River ahead of its grand opening on Friday.

Apple shared new pictures that provide a look at the store's 32-foot glass facades and 111-by-98 foot carbon-fiber roof. Two staircases lead to the store's lower level, featuring indoor trees and a seating area for Today at Apple sessions.

The flagship store is designed to create a new connection between North Michigan Avenue, Pioneer Court, and the Chicago River.

"Apple Michigan Avenue is about removing boundaries between inside and outside, reviving important urban connections within the city," said Jony Ive, Apple's chief design officer. "It unites a historic city plaza that had been cut off from the water, giving Chicago a dynamic new arena that flows effortlessly down to the river."

The store was designed by Apple's longtime architectural partner Foster + Partners, and pays homage to architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style homes in Chicago. Based on plans from 2015, the building spans 20,000 square feet and replaces a vacant food court. The store took over one year to construct.

A lengthy staircase leads from street level to a walkway in front of the store. The building will also be accessible via elevator.

On Monday, the store will also launch "The Chicago Series," a set of five programs, each with a different area of focus at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, hosted over the course of four weeks. Apple said each program is co-created with local non-profits and creative organizations.

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts is in Chicago today and tweeted a picture of herself alongside some of the store's employees.

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"Apple Michigan Avenue exemplifies our new vision where everyone is welcome to experience all of our incredible products, services and inspiring educational programs in the heart of their city," said Ahrendts.

Apple Michigan Avenue opens Friday, October 20 at 5:00 p.m. local time. The store is located in Pioneer Court at 401 North Michigan Avenue, next to the Michigan Avenue Bridge in Downtown Chicago.

Apple said its original North Michigan Avenue store, which was its first flagship location, welcomed more than 23 million visitors since opening in 2003. The store, just down the street from the new one, permanently closed today.

Apple has nearly 500 retail stores around the world that collectively welcome over 500 million visitors per year.

Article Link: Jony Ive Says Apple's New Flagship Chicago Store is About 'Reviving Important Urban Connections'

Is the glass bullet proof? Oh right. Urban connections without being in an urban area. No property available on the Southside? Or is this once again Apple talking a big game but when it comes time to back it up........

 

[bluespark]

Is the glass bullet proof? Oh right. Urban connections without being in an urban area. No property available on the Southside? Or is this once again Apple talking a big game but when it comes time to back it up........

The fact this is a low crime area does not make it in any way less urban. It is in a high-profile location right in the middle of one of America’s largest and busiest cities — that’s about as urban as you can get.

I completely agree that Chicago’s South Side needs its own store — maybe more than one of them. I also think the north side (north of Lincoln Park, for example Southport or Lincoln Square) needs one. But those needs have nothing to do with the urbanity of this location.

 

[mudflap]

I assume the critics don't live in Chicago?

The area was kind of drab and now it's beautiful. That's what Ive meant by reviving urban connections. The Apple store is an indoor, outdoor, upper level, lower level, river side store. It's simply stunning.

It being referred to as a town square isn't too far from the truth, because of the open space for events and an outdoor bar a few hundred feet away from the store. This is going to increase foot traffic significantly to the area and the river walk guaranteed.

Exactly. I've lived in Chicago my whole life, for 47 years. That area was nothing but gray concrete for decades. Nowhere to sit. No sculptures. No art. Nothing. This is like an oasis in a Mies van der Rohe desert.

 

[MrX8503]

At the grand opening. The store is stunning.

 

[LordVic]

At the grand opening. The store is stunning.

nice looking store. Chicago is a beautiful city

 

[9081094]

You've said everything I came here to say lol. Nice work! This is such PR marketing fluff and Apple is better than this.

I need to correct you here. Apple isnt better than this, but WAS better than this. That stopped about 5 years ago. Today it’s all talk, upping prices and releasing the same. Even Microsoft is making better computers today. How things can change so rapidly
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At the grand opening. The store is stunning.

Nice store! Where are the stunning products?