Philadelphia's first Apple store moves closer to reality

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
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."
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Will Perdro Martinez and the Philadephia Phanatic cut the ribbon?
  • Reply 2 of 34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    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.
  • Reply 3 of 34
    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.
  • Reply 4 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleStud View Post


    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.
  • Reply 5 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mrjoec123 View Post


    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?
  • Reply 6 of 34
    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.
  • Reply 7 of 34
    newbeenewbee Posts: 2,055member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    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.
  • Reply 8 of 34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    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.
  • Reply 9 of 34
    str1f3str1f3 Posts: 573member
    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.
  • Reply 10 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by floccus View Post


    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.
  • Reply 11 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by newbee View Post


    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?
  • Reply 12 of 34
    Anyone who thinks Phillies will win 2 in a row in The Bronx is crazy!
  • Reply 13 of 34
    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....
  • Reply 14 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore View Post


    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!
  • Reply 15 of 34
    ktappektappe Posts: 823member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    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.
  • Reply 16 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ktappe View Post


    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.
  • Reply 17 of 34
    So, there's one on every street corner in New Yak, but Philly doesn't have one.
  • Reply 18 of 34
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by BenRoethig View Post


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



    Baltimore doesn't have one either.
  • Reply 19 of 34
    cubertcubert Posts: 728member
    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.
  • Reply 20 of 34
    cubertcubert Posts: 728member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore View Post


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



    Come back on Friday morning.
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