“There it will build an Apple Store that project developers referred to in planning documents as ‘a new prototype for the company.’ The facade will be entirely transparent at ground level, vast skylights will flood the store with natural light, and trees will grow inside, fed by the sunlight from above, according to a proposal submitted to the city’s architectural review board,” Oremus reports. “The building at 340 University Ave. is an 86-year-old structure best known as the longtime home of Liddicoat’s grocery.”
“By a 3-0 vote the architectural review board recommended approval of the renovation project at a public meeting Thursday in which the identity of the store was never mentioned. But several sources told The Daily News it’s a new Apple Store, and Palo Alto’s current planning manager Amy French confirmed Thursday that’s her understanding as well,” Oremus reports. Alexander Lew, chair of the architectural review board, said the project’s developers told him they were “not at liberty” to disclose the intended tenant. ‘Apple is pretty secretive about that kind of stuff,’ he said. ‘But at the same time, when you look at it, the design is pretty unique. … I think a lot of people have kind of guessed.'”
“The architect is Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the same firm that won awards for the design of Apple Store Fifth Avenue in New York,” Oremus reports. “The plans call for demolishing and replacing the existing facade and roof, changes that the city will allow because the building has already changed too many times to qualify for historic protection. The new space is about 10,700 square feet, including a mezzanine, according to city documents. ‘The whole design is inside-outside, with everything completely exposed,’ said Lew of the architectural review board. ‘With the huge skylight, there’s going to be lots of daylight and it will feel more like an atrium inside. … We’re excited about the project.'”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Brawndo Drinker” for the heads up.]
A very secretive company with a very transparent store. Interesting.
Apple should partner with Marriott and launch the Apple Hotel.
Nah.. Make it a cruise ship. Brushed-aluminum finish on the hull, rooms with cinema displays, use your iPhone as your room key…
-jcr
Microsoft with have a new store out shortly with plastic trees, natural artificial lighting with desktop pictures of open spaces…
No, not like that. There are no trees.
Also, the federal court building in downtown Phoenix has an all-glass outer wall. I thought that was just asking for trouble especially in the summer when it hits 130, but it is actually very comfortable inside. I’m sure Apple and the architect have it figured out. Some sort of passive solar job…