New Apple Store awaits Arts Commission approval
Keith Hobin
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
Apple Inc. has recently begun the early stages of planning for the debut of an Apple retail location in Center City, Philadelphia, according to MacWorld.com.
The new store would be located on Walnut Street, near 16th street. Instead of making a trip to Ardmore, Pa., the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pa., or Cherry Hill, N.J., this new location will allow convenient access for Philadelphia Apple users. As of now, Center City's closest link to the Apple brand is Springboard Media, an Apple authorized reseller and repair center located at 22nd and Walnut Street. The Computer Fixer, located in the basement of the Korman Center at Drexel, is also an Apple-authorized repair center.
As evidenced by job postings on their Web site, the new Apple Store will have a "Genius Bar," where customers can have Apple products serviced, as well as other services like training and personal shopping.
Due to its notable architecture, the building in which the store will be located is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Apple has proposed plans for a major redesign of the store front.
Randi Dean, a sophomore majoring in graphic design, is excited at the prospect of a modern design in historic Philadelphia."I think that the new store could bring something 'new age' to the area," Dean said.
Because the building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the Philadelphia Art Commission must approve the major redesign planned for the store front before any construction begins. According to the Art Commission Web site, "The Commission must approve the designs of all construction and alterations that are paid for wholly or in part with City money or that are on City land, including streets." Apple has submitted the renovation plans to the Commission and is currently awaiting approval to move forward.
"They're going to clean all [the previous work done on the building] … off [the façade] and purify the design," Art Commission Executive Director William Burke said in an interview with Philadelphia Metro Nov. 2. "It's a nice building that contributes to the character of the street."
Once Apple receives approval from the Art Commission, they will move forward with obtaining construction permits, according to AppleInsider.
Apple Inc. did not respond to requests for comment.
The new store would be located on Walnut Street, near 16th street. Instead of making a trip to Ardmore, Pa., the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pa., or Cherry Hill, N.J., this new location will allow convenient access for Philadelphia Apple users. As of now, Center City's closest link to the Apple brand is Springboard Media, an Apple authorized reseller and repair center located at 22nd and Walnut Street. The Computer Fixer, located in the basement of the Korman Center at Drexel, is also an Apple-authorized repair center.
As evidenced by job postings on their Web site, the new Apple Store will have a "Genius Bar," where customers can have Apple products serviced, as well as other services like training and personal shopping.
Due to its notable architecture, the building in which the store will be located is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Apple has proposed plans for a major redesign of the store front.
Randi Dean, a sophomore majoring in graphic design, is excited at the prospect of a modern design in historic Philadelphia."I think that the new store could bring something 'new age' to the area," Dean said.
Because the building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the Philadelphia Art Commission must approve the major redesign planned for the store front before any construction begins. According to the Art Commission Web site, "The Commission must approve the designs of all construction and alterations that are paid for wholly or in part with City money or that are on City land, including streets." Apple has submitted the renovation plans to the Commission and is currently awaiting approval to move forward.
"They're going to clean all [the previous work done on the building] … off [the façade] and purify the design," Art Commission Executive Director William Burke said in an interview with Philadelphia Metro Nov. 2. "It's a nice building that contributes to the character of the street."
Once Apple receives approval from the Art Commission, they will move forward with obtaining construction permits, according to AppleInsider.
Apple Inc. did not respond to requests for comment.
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