Plans for Grand Central Apple Store are once again in motion
Apple is reportedly still pursuing plans to build a new 15,000-square-foot retail store in New York's Grand Central Terminal.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is looking for a single tenant for a "marquee space" at Grand Central Terminal, and according to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has expressed interest in putting a retail store in the space.
The MTA will put out bids for the space on Monday, and a spokesperson for the agency said they have spoken with Apple about the space. The MTA reportedly hopes that Apple will bid on the space.
The agency is said to be seeking a single renter for two adjacent balconies on the north and east sides of the terminal. One of the balconies is currently home to Charlie Palmer's Métrazur restaurant, but that business will close July 1 as Palmer is due to receive a "substantial sum of money" to vacate.
Because the terminal is a city landmark, any changes to the interior must be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The site offers 15,230 square feet of space, a size smaller than Apple's other retail outlets in the city.
"In addition to the tens of thousands of well-heeled commuters who pass through every day on their way to and from Connecticut's Gold Cost and Westchester County, Grand Central is a magnet for tourists who come to gawk at its Beaux-Arts architecture and constellation-dotted ceiling," author Andrew Grossman wrote.
The report said that retail experts believe a Grand Central store could prove even more popular than the iconic Fifth Avenue location, which has a large glass cube for its above-ground entrance, and is open 24 hours a day.
Word of a new Apple store in Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, first surfaced this February. At the time it was said Apple was expected to build the new store right in the terminal, rather than fronting 42nd Street like other stores. But in March, it was reported that Apple had scrapped plans for a store at Grand Central after negotiations with the MTA allegedly fell through.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is looking for a single tenant for a "marquee space" at Grand Central Terminal, and according to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has expressed interest in putting a retail store in the space.
The MTA will put out bids for the space on Monday, and a spokesperson for the agency said they have spoken with Apple about the space. The MTA reportedly hopes that Apple will bid on the space.
The agency is said to be seeking a single renter for two adjacent balconies on the north and east sides of the terminal. One of the balconies is currently home to Charlie Palmer's Métrazur restaurant, but that business will close July 1 as Palmer is due to receive a "substantial sum of money" to vacate.
Because the terminal is a city landmark, any changes to the interior must be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The site offers 15,230 square feet of space, a size smaller than Apple's other retail outlets in the city.
"In addition to the tens of thousands of well-heeled commuters who pass through every day on their way to and from Connecticut's Gold Cost and Westchester County, Grand Central is a magnet for tourists who come to gawk at its Beaux-Arts architecture and constellation-dotted ceiling," author Andrew Grossman wrote.
The report said that retail experts believe a Grand Central store could prove even more popular than the iconic Fifth Avenue location, which has a large glass cube for its above-ground entrance, and is open 24 hours a day.
Word of a new Apple store in Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, first surfaced this February. At the time it was said Apple was expected to build the new store right in the terminal, rather than fronting 42nd Street like other stores. But in March, it was reported that Apple had scrapped plans for a store at Grand Central after negotiations with the MTA allegedly fell through.
Comments
Of course, that won't happen, because that would make sense. You can't expect the same kind of bureaucrats who deemed the old Penn Station expendable to do the right thing.
Some cheesy halfassed franchise should get that space. It's what they deserve.
Furthermore, while people have accepted restaurants in that space, other types of retail have not been permitted in the main room of the terminal. I think there would be major objections to doing so. So I don't see this happening. The only space that makes sense for Apple is the Market, but that's about the size of an Apple mall store - it's not that large and it seems to be successful.
It's puzzling to me why GCT is trying to get rid of Metrazur. An open restaurant makes more sense in that space than hardgoods.
As for the previous poster, I can't imagine what he's smoking. Maybe he goes to GCT at 1am in the morning, but I don't think any reasonable person would think of that terminal as "dead space". It was beautifully restored and is one of the most active places in the city. If it weren't, why would Apple want to be there?
Let's get real. Grand Central shouldn't be imposing any aesthetic restrictions on what Apple does with that space. What they should be doing is begging Apple to rework the whole terminal any damn way they please. The stores Apple has designed puts the dead-feeling Grand Central space to shame. (Yeah, yeah, it's a landmark - but let's face it, that space feels DEAD. Way, way overrated. Ceiling's beautiful, great windows, but it just does not work. The old Penn Station - THAT worked.)
Of course, that won't happen, because that would make sense. You can't expect the same kind of bureaucrats who deemed the old Penn Station expendable to do the right thing.
Some cheesy halfassed franchise should get that space. It's what they deserve.
You must be kidding. Grand Central is a landmark for a reason. Yes they should accomodate Apple in every way possible for Apple to put up shop. But to say that Apple should redo the entire Terminal. No.
You must be kidding. Grand Central is a landmark for a reason. Yes they should accomodate Apple in every way possible for Apple to put up shop. But to say that Apple should redo the entire Terminal. No.
Grand Central was nearly torn down, just like Penn Station was. If it had been razed, would that have proved it was worthless? Ah. Then neither is calling it 'a landmark' proof of its merits.
Saying 'it's a landmark' means nothing. Let me correct that - it means LESS than nothing (aside from what it says about someone who repeats that tired wheeze as a rationalization). Steve Jobs had to fight for a decade to tear down his 'landmark' house. That doesn't mean Jobs was 'kidding', boyo. It means Jobs doesn't let someone else's opinion dictate a situation for him.
I suppose the irony of that is lost on you. Well, others may appreciate it.
The Eiffel Tower was popularly known as a disaster for many years. No one had a clue where to dump the Statue of Liberty. On the other hand, the public (and especially 'landmark commissions') is notorious for growing pathetically attached to monstrosities merely because they've been around a while. (Ask any public planner or most any architect if this is not so.) Popular opinion has little or no bearing on the actual merits of a building, and 'landmark status' is an inbred joke.
Yes, Grand Central got a very expensive restoration. And Joan Rivers got some very expensive facelifts.
I'll take Apple's 5th Avenue cube over Grand Central terminal any day. Or for that matter, NY's Javitz Center is a much grander and much more modern public space - reminiscent of the old Penn Station, in fact. There are many public spaces that are FAR superior to Grand Central.
It was beautifully restored and is one of the most active places in the city. If it weren't, why would Apple want to be there?
The Port Authority on Eighth Avenue 'is one of the most active places in the city'. That has absolutely nothing to do with the aesthetic merits of the space (which is dull and institutional). Why does Apple want to be in GC? Gee, it might be because a lot of people with money HAVE TO (not 'choose to') go there to get to work or home.
Grand Central is a 'well-restored' BARN.
Yes, Grand Central got a very expensive restoration. And Joan Rivers got some very expensive facelifts.
So if Apple builds a store there, will that be like a boob-job?
The Port Authority on Eighth Avenue 'is one of the most active places in the city'. That has absolutely nothing to do with the aesthetic merits of the space (which is dull and institutional). Why does Apple want to be in GC? Gee, it might be because a lot of people with money HAVE TO (not 'choose to') go there to get to work or home.
Grand Central is a 'well-restored' BARN.
My remark about it being an active space was not in regards to its aesthetic merits (which it does have) but in response to your comment that it was "dead space".
I don't know if you're simply trying to be a troll, but I don't know of a single respected architectural critic who thinks that GCT is a "barn". It's generally considered to be one of the country's "great spaces". But you'd probably prefer the aesthetics of a shopping mall.
While Apple's aesthetic works quite well for a computer store and their glass entrances or ceiling are quite nice, to state that Apple should "renovate" GCT is a joke. Do you really think that the Apple aesthetic of bright florescent cabinet lighting, Parsons tables and concrete floors is an aesthetic that should replace that existing in Grand Central today? If so, you've been living in suburbia too long. Why don't we have Apple renovate the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well.
Grand Central was nearly torn down, just like Penn Station was. If it had been razed, would that have proved it was worthless? Ah. Then neither is calling it 'a landmark' proof of its merits.
Saying 'it's a landmark' means nothing. Let me correct that - it means LESS than nothing (aside from what it says about someone who repeats that tired wheeze as a rationalization). Steve Jobs had to fight for a decade to tear down his 'landmark' house. That doesn't mean Jobs was 'kidding', boyo. It means Jobs doesn't let someone else's opinion dictate a situation for him.
I suppose the irony of that is lost on you. Well, others may appreciate it.
Mr. Snitch, you seem like one of those guys that likes to be in the right while trying to insult one's intelligence. I know you're type. I won't write you back here or in any future communication. Oh, and Mr. Snitch, you come off like a tool.