Lease Approved For Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C.

[MacRumors]

Apple has finalized terms with Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, to lease a portion of the Carnegie Library at at Mount Vernon Square, described as a newly transformed convention and entertainment district in downtown Washington D.C.

The leased area, approximately 19,000 square feet, will eventually be home to an Apple retail store. The lease term is ten years with two five-year options, according to Events DC. The Historical Society, under its existing 99-year lease, will continue to operate its museum and library in the building.

"As part of its philanthropic efforts, Apple will also empower local youth with job-training and educational programming," said Max Brown, chairman of Events DC's Board of Directors. "Through this collaboration, Apple's investment in the neighborhood will stimulate additional activity and spending in the area to ensure that the community will continue to thrive."

Carnegie Library is a 114-year-old building located across the street from the Washington Convention Center in Mount Vernon Square. Apple will work with Foster + Partners, as it often does, to redesign the interior, which will likely draw similarities to stores like Apple Opéra in Paris and Apple Grand Central in New York.

Washington D.C.'s National Capital Planning Commission still has to approve Apple as a tenant due to the building's historical legacy and importance to the city. Apple is expected to begin construction of the store later this year if approved.

Apple has promised to respect Carnegie Library's historical integrity. For example, Apple's logo won't be prominently featured on the library's facade or sides. Apple does plan a few changes to Carnegie Library, including a major new skylight, but the company aims for its presence to be as subtle as possible.

Rumors about Apple opening a retail store at Carnegie Library first surfaced last September. Apple has been in talks with Events DC and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. since then.

Article Link: Lease Approved For Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C.

 

[justperry]

Apple has promised to respect Carnegie Library's historical integrity. For example, Apple's logo won't be prominently featured on the library's facade or sides. Apple does plan a few changes to Carnegie Library, including a major new skylight, but the company aims for its presence to be as subtle as possible.

Doesn't compute.
As in, Is a major skylight subtle!

 

[Four oF NINE]

Looks like a great site for a flagship store

 

[julesme]

This seems like a strange location to me. Is there a lot of shopping and/or foot traffic over there?

 

[tridley68]

This should be contingent on factories being built in the U.S.

 

[Appurushido]

Apple being like Starbucks. They want those specialty stores with unique architecture in their stores.

 

[Nunyabinez]

This seems like a strange location to me. Is there a lot of shopping and/or foot traffic over there?

While I am not that familiar with the DC area, on previous related posts about this site, people say that is is actually an excellent location that will get much traffic.

From the picture you don't get that perspective, but from what the DC residents of the forum here say, it is a great location.

 

[alex00100]

Apple will build a store in the White House if they are let to.

 

[Jon20001]

This seems like a strange location to me. Is there a lot of shopping and/or foot traffic over there?

It's across the street from one of the largest convention centers on the east coast, and two blocks from a major shopping and dining neighborhood. Plus, it would be the only Apple Store in DC close to Metro. It'll do very well there.

 

[2010mini]

Hmmmm......

Promise to build factories in the US. Get approval to open a store in a historic building.....

Hmmmmm......

 

[paul4339]

Doesn't compute.
As in, Is a major skylight subtle!

The building has several skylight already and it's pretty symmetrical (one in the center of each wing and two skylights in the center block)... so I'm wondering, do they mean an new 'additional' skylight or a new 'replacement' skylight made to look like the old ones.

 

[julesme]

It's across the street from one of the largest convention centers on the east coast, and two blocks from a major shopping and dining neighborhood. Plus, it would be the only Apple Store in DC close to Metro. It'll do very well there.

I don't think being close to a convention center is necessarily ideal. The Georgetown location is close to shoppers, so that's great, but it's inconvenient to commuters and most area residents. Maybe the new location can capture commuters via its metro accessibility.

 

[choreographics]

Looks awesome and I am sure it will be an outstanding Apple Store—although there is a little controversy here. BTW there're some more images on a german site posted a while ago: https://storeteller.de/2017/07/bibliotheksdebatte-in-washington-apple-carnegie-library or check this tweet https://twitter.com/storetellee/status/888679020245766149.

 

[JungeQuex]

Great location, nice building. Just moved out of the area, but can't wait to see it when it opens.

 

[brianlbaker]

This seems like a strange location to me. Is there a lot of shopping and/or foot traffic over there?

Yeah, It's a great spot. Right on top of a busy Metro Stop, accross the street from the exceedingly busy convention center, 2 blocks away from where the Wizards and Capitals play, in a busy shop/food/bar scene, on the edge of Chinatown.
[doublepost=1501192537][/doublepost]

I don't think being close to a convention center is necessarily ideal. The Georgetown location is close to shoppers, so that's great, but it's inconvenient to commuters and most area residents. Maybe the new location can capture commuters via its metro accessibility.

Georgetown is a hellish environment only for tourists and drunks. No one who lives in the area wants to go to a Georgetown store.

 

[pat500000]

Apple has been active when it comes to leasing/buying locations. Apple needs to set up shop in my house.

 

[dwman]

I worked on the G-town waterfront until recently and would walk up to the Apple store from time to time. It's not so bad during the day, but at night, it's closer to the scene your describing.

 

[melgross]

I read elsewhere that Apple is leasing 63 thousand square feet, not 19 thousand.

 

[Tycho24]

This should be contingent on factories being built in the U.S.

Oh, are they building a Foxconn store there too??
I’m pretty sure they’re the ones that build factories; I’m unaware of Apple owning or building a single factory.

 

[mejsric]

This seems like a strange location to me. Is there a lot of shopping and/or foot traffic over there?

trust Apple, obviously they know better.

 

[dilbert99]

3 cheers for the Scottish connection

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

Rumor has it there's a secret underground tunnel to the Old DC Post Office so Trump can get all the new products from China first! (Bad joke, couldn't resist)

 

[Cloudkicker]

Skylights allow stars to shine down into its new store & to scatter new "stars" out into the night sky.

 

[kjparfekt]

I live a few blocks from there and agree this is a great location for an Apple Store.

They're currently located in Pentagon City Mall (Alexandria, VA), Clarendon (Arlington, VA) and Georgetown (which is not metro accessible).

This location is just blocks from metro center, downtown businessss, the Verizon center, the newly built city center. Definitely a win for Apple and another great draw for the area.

Does anyone know the planned opening schedule?

 

[DailySlow]

It's across the street from one of the largest convention centers on the east coast, and two blocks from a major shopping and dining neighborhood. Plus, it would be the only Apple Store in DC close to Metro. It'll do very well there.

Nearby Pentagon City Apple Store and Clarendon are both at Metro stops and Tyson's Corner is on new silver line at huge mall (all across river in Arlington and/or Fairfax) - but yes, Mt. Vernon will be a hot spot - no one mentions that for much of the year, DC is utterly over run with tourists, and most carrying an iPhone, at least. Plus what, 5 major universities? in less than 10 sq miles. The only other Apple store actually in the District is the anemic one in Georgetown. For the architectural critics, better or for worse, I would say almost half of the buildings in large parts of DC are a century old or more and most are in excellent shape with up-to-date skylights - museum quality everywhere and many solicit events like festivals or conferences so this is extending that kind of thing. https://www.apple.com/retail/georgetown/