Philadelphia's first Apple store moves closer to reality

***AppleInsider*** · 11-03-2009, 11:09 AM

Apple's long-awaited plans to bring a retail store to the City of Brotherly Love look to be near realization, with the company now hiring employees and obtaining permits.

News of the planned location at 1609 Walnut St. first surface early this year. Apple's online job listings currently allow applicants to seek employment at the forthcoming Walnut Street location. Openings available for the store manager, Genius, Specialist and more.

In addition, Apple is scheduled to appear before the Philadelphia Art Commission Tuesday for approval of the store, which is intended to have a "futuristic all-glass exterior," according to Metro. The current location is an empty storefront, but members of the Art Commission hope that Apple's design proves elegant, like its Fifth Avenue store in New York City.

The property is said to be nearly ready for construction. No zoning changes are expected, and pending approval from the Art Commission, the last hurdle would be construction permits.

The retail market in the Center City area surrounding Walnut Street has prospered since the early '90s, as young professionals and empty nesters have increasingly chosen the district as their home. However, more recently the location has reportedly been the victim of retail slowdown. The neighborhood includes retailers such as Brooks Brothers, Steve Madden and Armani Exchange.

In January it was reported that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson was tapped to design the store. That's the same firm responsible for high-profile Apple retail outlets in New York, London and Tokyo.

A rendering of the new Apple store, side-by-side with the current location. Picture via Metro.

The 39,000 square-foot Philadelphia building dates back to 1937, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Art Commission Executive Director William Burke told Metro that the building has been rehabilitated a number of times over the last 40 years, but Apple's reconstruction will restore the building.

"They're going to clean all that off and purify the design," he said. "It’s a nice building that contributes to the character of the street."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 11:19 AM

Will Perdro Martinez and the Philadephia Phanatic cut the ribbon?

AppleStud · 11-03-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckstud

Will Perdro Martinez and the Philadephia Phanatic cut the ribbon?

hah, we can only hope. This is a block from my office - I can't wait.

mrjoec123 · 11-03-2009, 11:36 AM

Ron Johnson told me they had plans for this store on Walnut street several years ago. It was before the Palo Alto store opened, even. They really do wait for exactly the right location, exactly the right lease deals, etc. No wonder they have yet to open an unsuccessful store.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleStud

hah, we can only hope. This is a block from my office - I can't wait.

That's great to have it so close- I have The Apple 5th Ave store 2 blocks away from where I work.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

They really do wait for exactly the right location, exactly the right lease deals, etc. No wonder they have yet to open an unsuccessful store.

Do you have access to figures by location or is that hyperbole?

agdc · 11-03-2009, 11:55 AM

A few corrections to your article:

-- The correct address of the future Apple store is 1609 Walnut Street, not 1619.
-- The first pair of photos are correct (they show 1609) the last photo is incorrect (it shows 1619)
-- 1609 Walnut was formerly a TD Bank branch, NOT the location of the brasserie (that was at 1619).

There were rumors that Apple was looking at 1619 Walnut, but those were incorrect and that space remains vacant.

newbee · 11-03-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckstud

Do you have access to figures by location or is that hyperbole?

Being the "master of hyperbole", you shouldn't even have to ask that question.

floccus · 11-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The site was formerly an American brasserie that served French cuisine since 1997.

WTF is w/ the writing on here any more... can't you just say restaurant like normal people?

And I find it amusing that DE has an Apple store and yet Philly is still waiting... not that the Christiana store is anything to get excited about.

str1f3 · 11-03-2009, 12:20 PM

I'm glad they're opening up a store there. Phillies' fans will need some consolation after they lose tomorrow! That's right, I went there.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floccus

WTF is w/ the writing on here any more... can't you just say restaurant like normal people?

And I find it amusing that DE has an Apple store and yet Philly is still waiting... not that the Christiana store is anything to get excited about.

DE has an Apple store? No tax? That's something to get excited about.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee

Being the "master of hyperbole", you shouldn't even have to ask that question.

I am the master of all I survey.
Hey newbee- maybe that should be my new signature-what do you think?

8CoreWhore · 11-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

joopnsf · 11-03-2009, 12:28 PM

The photos above and below are clearly NOT the same building. AGDC is correct (I've verified w/Google street view), the top photos are of 1609 Walnut St, and the bottom pic is 1619 Walnut St. However, I don't know which address is slated for the new store. But judging from the photos, 1619 doesn't look like a historic land mark....

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

Seat Don Zimmer next to Giulliani.
Then Pedro will pitch directly at A-Rod.
Unleash Zimmer and - END OF STORY!!!!
Rumble in DA BRONX!

ktappe · 11-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckstud

DE has an Apple store? No tax? That's something to get excited about.

Very much so. In fact I was told last year that the Christiana (DE) Apple Store has the 4th highest revenue per square foot of all Apple Stores. It draws from DE, PA, NJ, and MD--a very large consumer base.

As for the main article, it implies that the Philly area has no Apple Stores which is incorrect. Only the downtown area lacks (an official) one. There are Apple Stores all over the Philly metro area, including Cherry Hill (NJ), King of Prussia (PA), (the aforementioned) Christiana (DE), Ardmore (PA), and Marlton (NJ).

Further, there are independent Apple retailers in the area such as Springboard Media in Exton and in center city Philly.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktappe

Very much so. In fact I was told last year that the Christiana (DE) Apple Store has the 4th highest revenue per square foot of all Apple Stores. It draws from DE, PA, NJ, and MD--a very large consumer base.

As for the main article, it implies that the Philly area has no Apple Stores which is incorrect. Only the downtown area lacks (an official) one. There are Apple Stores all over the Philly metro area, including Cherry Hill (NJ), King of Prussia (PA), (the aforementioned) Christiana (DE), Ardmore (PA), and Marlton (NJ).

Further, there are independent Apple retailers in the area such as Springboard Media in Exton and in center city Philly.

This is great news. I have a friend right outside of Wilmington and thought I would have to buy from Best Buy if I wanted to avoid tax for Apple products.

BenRoethig · 11-03-2009, 12:55 PM

So, there's one on every street corner in New Yak, but Philly doesn't have one.

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

So, there's one on every street corner in New Yak, but Philly doesn't have one.

Baltimore doesn't have one either.

Cubert · 11-03-2009, 01:02 PM

I live in Philthadelphia. It's more like the "City of Brothers" than "City of Brotherly Love."

Especially, when your former Mayor declares that the city is for blacks and whites need not apply.

Cubert · 11-03-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

Come back on Friday morning.

sheff · 11-03-2009, 01:35 PM

No US flag over the apple store? That won't fly in the US.

Xian Zhu Xuande · 11-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheff

No US flag over the apple store? That won't fly in the US.

I noticed that. I guess we'll see what Apple does, and I imagine if any flag is flown it will be because there has been one there regularly (I don't know if that is the case or not). Apple Stores cater to a very large number of international customers, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is no flag.

AppleStud · 11-03-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktappe

Very much so. In fact I was told last year that the Christiana (DE) Apple Store has the 4th highest revenue per square foot of all Apple Stores. It draws from DE, PA, NJ, and MD--a very large consumer base.

As for the main article, it implies that the Philly area has no Apple Stores which is incorrect. Only the downtown area lacks (an official) one. There are Apple Stores all over the Philly metro area, including Cherry Hill (NJ), King of Prussia (PA), (the aforementioned) Christiana (DE), Ardmore (PA), and Marlton (NJ).

Further, there are independent Apple retailers in the area such as Springboard Media in Exton and in center city Philly.

True. There's no lack of stores in the region, but downtown only has one or two authorized resellers (who i can't imagine will survive much longer once the official store opens. At least not more than one of them).

John.B · 11-03-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

Them Spankies got quite the payback from A-Rod's steroid use, don'cha think?

Put an asterisk on that trophy, boys...

AppleStud · 11-03-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckstud

This is great news. I have a friend right outside of Wilmington and thought I would have to buy from Best Buy if I wanted to avoid tax for Apple products.

The tax will be an interesting point. I'd LOVE to buy my computers at a downtown Apple store, or even the Ardmore (Suburban Square) store, but with DE so close (35mins) it's easily worth the $130+ I'd save on a new iMac - sales tax in Philly just jumped to 8% versus 0% in DE.

synthcomposer · 11-03-2009, 02:39 PM

Great news! But I don't see why "clean and purify" should mean removing the American Flag! Show your pride in the country that provides your freedom, Apple!

Josh

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleStud

The tax will be an interesting point. I'd LOVE to buy my computers at a downtown Apple store, or even the Ardmore (Suburban Square) store, but with DE so close (35mins) it's easily worth the $130+ I'd save on a new iMac - sales tax in Philly just jumped to 8% versus 0% in DE.

I would save $178 on an i5 iMac.

floccus · 11-03-2009, 05:22 PM

Living in OH now, I had my new 13" MbP shipped to my mom's house in DE at the end of June and then took vacation over the 4th to see family, pick up my MbP, and a 3GS iPhone. Saved quite a but in tax on that

But for the record, I'll be declaring it all on my OH taxes like all of you law abiding citizens will be doing as well next year

jeffharris · 11-03-2009, 07:28 PM

"I'd rather be a lamp post in New York, than mayor of Philadelphia."

W.C. Fields

(one of my favorite quotes ever!!!)

jeffharris · 11-03-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

Snoreball?
Jesus F. Christ, it's HOCKEY season, people!

Phillies has gotta rank as THE stupidest sports team name there is!!!
Even "The Mets" sounds better than that!

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floccus

Living in OH now, I had my new 13" MbP shipped to my mom's house in DE at the end of June and then took vacation over the 4th to see family, pick up my MbP, and a 3GS iPhone. Saved quite a but in tax on that

But for the record, I'll be declaring it all on my OH taxes like all of you law abiding citizens will be doing as well next year

Smart.
Why? No Senator or Congressmen would.

brucep · 11-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckstud

That's great to have it so close- I have The Apple 5th Ave store 2 blocks away from where I work.

I am 10 blocks and 16 feet from 5th ave store
lunch ??

brucep · 11-03-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffharris

Snoreball?
Jesus F. Christ, it's HOCKEY season, people!

Phillies has gotta rank as THE stupidest sports team name there is!!!
Even "The Mets" sounds better than that!

let go rangers !!!

teckstud · 11-03-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucep

I am 10 blocks and 16 feet from 5th ave store
lunch ??

Did solipsism give you a gun? Is this a hit job?

11-03-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,222	Philadelphia's first Apple store moves closer to reality Apple's long-awaited plans to bring a retail store to the City of Brotherly Love look to be near realization, with the company now hiring employees and obtaining permits. News of the planned location at 1609 Walnut St. first surface early this year. Apple's online job listings currently allow applicants to seek employment at the forthcoming Walnut Street location. Openings available for the store manager, Genius, Specialist and more. In addition, Apple is scheduled to appear before the Philadelphia Art Commission Tuesday for approval of the store, which is intended to have a "futuristic all-glass exterior," according to Metro. The current location is an empty storefront, but members of the Art Commission hope that Apple's design proves elegant, like its Fifth Avenue store in New York City. The property is said to be nearly ready for construction. No zoning changes are expected, and pending approval from the Art Commission, the last hurdle would be construction permits. The retail market in the Center City area surrounding Walnut Street has prospered since the early '90s, as young professionals and empty nesters have increasingly chosen the district as their home. However, more recently the location has reportedly been the victim of retail slowdown. The neighborhood includes retailers such as Brooks Brothers, Steve Madden and Armani Exchange. In January it was reported that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson was tapped to design the store. That's the same firm responsible for high-profile Apple retail outlets in New York, London and Tokyo. A rendering of the new Apple store, side-by-side with the current location. Picture via Metro. The 39,000 square-foot Philadelphia building dates back to 1937, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Art Commission Executive Director William Burke told Metro that the building has been rehabilitated a number of times over the last 40 years, but Apple's reconstruction will restore the building. "They're going to clean all that off and purify the design," he said. "It’s a nice building that contributes to the character of the street." [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

11-03-2009, 11:19 AM	#2
teckstud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,392	Will Perdro Martinez and the Philadephia Phanatic cut the ribbon? Once you go Mac, you never go back! 

11-03-2009, 11:55 AM	#7
agdc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	1609 Walnut, not 1619 A few corrections to your article: -- The correct address of the future Apple store is 1609 Walnut Street, not 1619. -- The first pair of photos are correct (they show 1609) the last photo is incorrect (it shows 1619) -- 1609 Walnut was formerly a TD Bank branch, NOT the location of the brasserie (that was at 1619). There were rumors that Apple was looking at 1619 Walnut, but those were incorrect and that space remains vacant.

11-03-2009, 12:28 PM	#14
joopnsf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Picture Mix Up The photos above and below are clearly NOT the same building. AGDC is correct (I've verified w/Google street view), the top photos are of 1609 Walnut St, and the bottom pic is 1619 Walnut St. However, I don't know which address is slated for the new store. But judging from the photos, 1619 doesn't look like a historic land mark....

11-03-2009, 12:55 PM	#18
BenRoethig Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dubuque, IA USA Posts: 2,431	So, there's one on every street corner in New Yak, but Philly doesn't have one. "Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking" -Steve Jobs. I guess he forgot to add "unless its mine."

11-03-2009, 11:36 AM	#4
mrjoec123 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 222	Ron Johnson told me they had plans for this store on Walnut street several years ago. It was before the Palo Alto store opened, even. They really do wait for exactly the right location, exactly the right lease deals, etc. No wonder they have yet to open an unsuccessful store.

11-03-2009, 12:20 PM	#10
str1f3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 129	I'm glad they're opening up a store there. Phillies' fans will need some consolation after they lose tomorrow! That's right, I went there.

11-03-2009, 12:27 PM	#13
8CoreWhore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 463	Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!

11-03-2009, 01:02 PM	#20
Cubert Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 486	I live in Philthadelphia. It's more like the "City of Brothers" than "City of Brotherly Love." Especially, when your former Mayor declares that the city is for blacks and whites need not apply.

11-03-2009, 01:35 PM	#22
sheff Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 141	No US flag over the apple store? That won't fly in the US. --SHEFFmachine out

11-03-2009, 02:39 PM	#27
synthcomposer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	"Clean and Purify" Great news! But I don't see why "clean and purify" should mean removing the American Flag! Show your pride in the country that provides your freedom, Apple! Josh

11-03-2009, 05:22 PM	#29
floccus Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 128	Living in OH now, I had my new 13" MbP shipped to my mom's house in DE at the end of June and then took vacation over the 4th to see family, pick up my MbP, and a 3GS iPhone. Saved quite a but in tax on that But for the record, I'll be declaring it all on my OH taxes like all of you law abiding citizens will be doing as well next year

11-03-2009, 07:28 PM	#30
jeffharris Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 323	"I'd rather be a lamp post in New York, than mayor of Philadelphia." W.C. Fields (one of my favorite quotes ever!!!) • • • • • Macintosh: It just WORKS!

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