“One of the most unusual and amazing architectural designs for an Apple store will reportedly appear in Aix en Provence (France), featuring a nearly all-glass structure enabled by new technology developed by Apple’s glass suppliers,” Gary Allen reports for ifoAppleStore.
“According to AixEnProvence.fr magazine, the current tired-looking tourism office on the south side of Place du General de Gaulle will be demolished and the Apple store will be constructed at the site,” Allen reports. “A rendering posted by the magazine shows a one-level structure set back on a broad stone plaza, with a tan-colored rear wall, and all other encompassing walls made of glass.”
All reports, “The city is in the south of France, and is favored by good weather and thousands of tourists each year. The area to the west of the future store has been recently reconstructed with many upscale shops from international retailers. According to the magazine the store could open by late 2012 or early 2013.”
See the photos in the full article here.
Looks beautiful.
“Looks”?? Can hardly see it for all of the transparency.
Does look on the map as if it is a northern exposure, good thing, I would not want to play with their LED screens in direct sunlight.
Where oh where can Steve Balmer put his next store? Looks like there is no room there for that. LOL!
Apple is demolishing an information office to build their store.
Maybe Microsoft could demolish a public toilet to build their store.
Demolish? Nah, just re-paint and move in the pee-seas. 😉
The way you keep paying and paying with Windows, they might more appropriately be referred to as fee-cees.
If someone breaks-in to this store, it’s really Apple’s fault for temping them.
Of course. And it’s Apple’s fault for building any sort of store in the first place – they’re just inviting break-ins.
Apple’s fault for temping them
So Apple should have hired them permanently?
I was in the the tourism office in Place du General De Gaulle late last year, and it is indeed “tired looking”.
The proposed Apple store will be a fitting addition to a fine city.
I’ll let yo know; I plan on being there this summer… 😆
Great! It’s an excellent city to walk around in, and is steeped in history (the Romans used it as an administrative centre for much of France).
If you’re into biking, there’s a pleasant and scenic ride to the east of the city, along the so-called Route Cézanne, under Mont Sainte Victoire. Narrow roads, but the traffic is generally light and well-behaved.
Enjoy.
Thanks. I’m more into walking or horses, than bikes. In fact, I want to check out a “horse-back through Provence” tour offered in the summers. Your luggage follows as you ride a horse from inn to inn. Sounds great to me. And there’s always the “Pope’s Ninth Chateau” at the end of the day … 😆
the rendering is totally unrealistic.
(the store would be crowded)
… made with Corning’s new Gorilla Glass?? 😉
Damn, I thought they were good at eliminating buttons… But walls? Sweet!
Hey, are they just doing this to screw with “Windows”?
it’s all windows… ヅ
Ah, but it’s ‘windows’ done right…
Goodie, I know exactly the spot. Renting a house near there this summer.
Dear god, I’ve been to Aix-en-Provence, and it can get blisteringly hot in the Summer. They really should build that Arizona-style store with glass walls at both ends, but cool stone on the long sides and ceiling.
To one-up Apple, the new Microsoft store to be built next door will be even more transparent, including the restrooms.
——RM
the MS stores are just one big restroom, where they dump all the ms “product”
yep, glass enclosed toilet as well
Those windows will be a bird magnet.