Planning Board Rendering Unveils New Glass-Enclosed Apple Store for Stanford

[MacRumors]

The Palo Alto Online has unearthed plans for a new glass-enclosed retail store going in near the current Stanford mini-store at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, CA.

The store will have three floor-to-ceiling glass walls enclosing the front of the store with a visually free-floating white roof overhead. This is a similar design to the new store being built in Portland, OR, as well as a new store in Aix-en-Provence, France. What makes this store unique, however, is the interior.

In the middle of the store, it appears that Apple's architects have placed a stone wall that separates the store into two distinct areas. A front area enclosed by glass walls, and a rear space that will include the standard Apple Retail Store product tables and counters.

From the Palo Alto Online:

One seasoned industry observer who had viewed the early drawings called the building design exquisite. "It makes an elegant and dramatic statement. It is destined to become Apple's flagship store," he said. The structure features a tall glass cube with an overhang that extends well beyond the building. "It makes the space between the outside and the inside almost indistinguishable," the source said, adding that it will bear some similarity to New York's Apple Store Fifth Avenue, which also has a distinctive glass cube as an entrance.

The new store replaces the Rugby Ralph Lauren and Williams Sonoma Home stores that were previously in the space. IFOAppleStore notes the store, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, is expected to open by the end of the year. The existing Stanford mini-store will be shuttered once the new location opens.

Article Link: Planning Board Rendering Unveils New Glass-Enclosed Apple Store for Stanford

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Should be nice.

 

[unlimitedx]

a definite upgrade over the tiny one in the mall. great news

 

[dziewuliz]

Awesome, more lawsuits coming from people with vision impairments...

 

[Renzatic]

I see that and think...

Bonk. Bonk. Bonk. Bonk. Bonk. Bonk.

 

[Caliber26]

I am beyond ready for an elegant and dramatic glass store in my city.

 

[AidenShaw]

Not "Stanford University"

This store is at the "Stanford Shopping Center", not at "Stanford University".

 

[BKF]

Very nice, but I hope they're not going to need to be picking bird carcasses off the walkway in front of this every day.

 

[GenesisST]

Just don't install one in Montréal these days....

(Massive protests, rallies and sometimes riots due to a student strike)

 

[jlgolson]

This store is at the "Stanford Shopping Center", not at "Stanford University".

Though the shopping center is on the campus, I'll make a note of it. Thanks!

 

[BWhaler]

That's not Stanford. That's the Stanford Mall.

Big difference.

 

[doctor-don]

Just hope it's earthquake-proof.

 

[Xenious]

Wasted space?

What is the point of the front area if there are no tables or displays in it? What will they use it for?

 

[drewyboy]

Awesome, more lawsuits coming from people with vision impairments...

Dang dziewuliz (crazy name), you beat me to it!

Edit: How long until PITA goes ape for apple stores killing more birds because of the glass?

 

[east85]

This is like a smack in the face to that poor old lady that ran into the apple store glass door a few weeks back!

 

[Renzatic]

What is the point of the front area if there are no tables or displays in it? What will they use it for?

It'll be used as common grounds for futurists in the area to come together and have earnest discussions over the implications of the technological singularity.

...needs more lens flare.

edit: "I have argued that we cannot prevent the Singularity, that its coming is an inevitable consequence of the humans' natural competitiveness and the possibilities inherent in technology. And with that said, sirs, I take my leave".

Bonk.

 

[AustinIllini]

We need one in Austin! We only have a mall Apple Store!

 

[orangebluedevil]

We need one in Austin! We only have a mall Apple Store!

No you don't, The Domain has an Apple Store that's not in a mall.

 

[SmileyBlast!]

Awesome, more lawsuits coming from people with vision impairments...

Perhaps some frosted Apple Logos in the glass would fix that and look appealing too.

 

[ECUpirate44]

This is my Apple Store lol. Rockaway, NJ.

 

[Steve~Jobs]

Perhaps some frosted Apple Logos in the glass would fix that and look appealing too.

No that would ruin the zen look Mr. Jobs always loved. Please read his biography book he would be highly against that.

 

[BornAgainMac]

People forgot about earthquakes in California.

 

[3282868]

I feel sorry for any birds around there

EDIT: of course two others beat me to that little joke. Well played

I'd hate to be the window washer.

 

[InvalidUserID]

This is my Apple Store lol. Rockaway, NJ.
View attachment 340513

That is pretty much how the current Stanford Mall store looks right now, just add in a lot of people.

I live a few minutes away from the mall and shop there often and I will say that I avoid this Apple store just because it is so packed. It's so packed that Apple holds some of their "classes" outside of the store on the tables/mall benches.

I think another reason for the redesign is the new HUGE Microsoft store that is a few doors down. Funny, they just put in a Microsoft store at Valley Faire mall as well, almost directly across from the Apple Store there. They just need one in downtown Palo Alto now to complete the competition.

 

[earl310]

Great way to save on the light bill, with a all glass store front they will be able to use all natural light source, until the sun goes down.