Sorry, it is a NYC streetscape first. The cube is just across the street from Central Park too. Ever since the misguided razing of Penn Station, NYC has been hyper-aware of the importance of architecture and how it enhances the public experience. Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome. They are lucky to be here. Don't think so? Ask Wal-Mart who is doing everything they can, even unionizing, to get a spot in the Big Apple.
For what it is worth, I happen to like the cube and think it does fit in with its all glass, shiny, skyscraper aesthetic. Apple could have done better but it ain't bad.
Guess you don't remember what this looked like before the glass cube. The retail was below grade and it was an uninviting, windswept area. In spite of its prime location, no retail there was ever successful. I think the cube is awesome and while it's very modern, it still works well across from the Plaza Hotel and Central Park.
Having said that, it's not that the plaza couldn't be further improved, but I think that's the landlord's responsibility, not Apple's. Personally, I think that plaza could use more plantings , trees, etc. and more seating area. I actually think the glass cube entrance would be better if it had been made larger and encompassed more of the plaza. Especially at night, I think the Lincoln Center store has more impact than the cube does.
While the razing of Penn Station did raise awareness of preserving classic architecture, I actually think it did nothing to raise awareness of quality architecture for new or renovated buildings. IMO, NYC has tons of simply awful architecture. I can't think of a single recently built building that could be considered great architecture. I'm a big fan of NYC, but most European cities have far nicer streetscapes than New York does.
And the Apple/Wal-Mart comparison makes no sense to me. Wal-Mart builds ugly large stores, pays badly (although Apple's retail pay isn't great either) and their presence puts lots of other retail out of business. They sell ordinary products that wouldn't attract tourists. Apple does the opposite.
I have no idea why it needs to be taken down and put up again. Maybe it's leaking. I also don't understand why taking it down and putting it up again costs as much as the original cube. The glass is extraordinarily expensive and if it's not being replaced, the costs shouldn't be so high.
Just to be sure... You do realize that the Louvre pyramid was there before the Apple Store, right?
Yes but think of the symbolism, an apple inside a pyramid - maybe the Discordians are uniting with the Illuminati. They've brought back the JAMs! Clearly I need to reread my Shea/Wilson novels to determine the significance of all this - but I fear that Apple may be preparing to immanentize the eschaton.
The world is supposed to be ending in October and the 5th avenue store will be under wraps until november - coincidence? I think not!
(Apologies in advance to everybody but the 3 people who get this joke)
Apple's first responsibility is to their shareholders. Spending millions of dollars on frivolous crap ignores that responsibility.
-kpluck
100% correct. That is why Apple manufactures in China instead of building frivolous crap American factories. Apple is a multinational conglomerate - a giant international corporation. They owe nothing to anyone except their shareholders.
"There is no indication of why the cube is being replaced, either because of safety concerns or simply to upgrade it to current technology,"
You wouldn't think there could be too many advances in architectural technology to warrant spending $6.6m to shuffle things around though, especially after such a short period of time. If they could find a way to make the sides seamless, that would be worth spending the money on.
Maybe given that they don't make a Cube computer, they will remodel it like the Mini so everyone has to get down on all fours to enter the store. Consumers must kneel before Apple, they are not worthy.
I find Steve's personal Cube design interesting - first the Next Cube, then the G4 Cube in 2000, 4 years after Apple bought Next, then a Cube store. It would be neat to have a 6"x6"x6" Cube - numbered like the original Mac price. If it was sold at the original Mac price too, even better - $666.66. Maybe when the 40th anniversary rolls around in 5 years they can make one.
You wouldn't think there could be too many advances in architectural technology to warrant spending $6.6m to shuffle things around though, especially after such a short period of time.
The time frame points to some sort of flaw that has only now come to light. Or a flaw that has developed from use. I gotta figure the whole structure is inspected frequently for cracks and wear. My bet is there is some concern internal to Apple or it's insurer that has spurred this redo.
The store's probably been something of a solar cooker during the hour or two that it is not shaded by all the other buildings around. In the past few years, enormous advances have been made in heat-reflective glazing that still transmits visible light. This, along with improved ventilation to eliminate fogging, could be the reason for the renovation.
And, one last thing, self-cleaning glass is now available. A very expensive coating of titanium dioxide is applied to the exterior face of each pane. Pollution and mineral deposits break down in the sunlight when in contact with the titanium dioxide coating and slough off. This could be part of the renovation. Would make sense.
I hope they make the stairs wider or maybe include another elevator. The store is a tourist magnet and these ridiculous people walk around in slow motion and show no courtesy towards others. Maybe that's how they do things in the little town where they came from, but in New York, they need to increase their tempo. People who have important things to do and places to go shouldn't be held back or constricted by these foreign snail like creatures.
Apple's first responsibility is to their shareholders. Spending millions of dollars on frivolous crap ignores that responsibility.
-kpluck
Sorry, you are missing the point. Apple is responsible to enhance the cityscape irrelevant of their boardmemmbers. NYC Gov't and city planning has ordinances and rules for the installation of art or entrances or something that is supposedly both. I am sure community boards, local council members, etc. were involved in the approval of the piece. Sorry, the city doesn't hand over the keys to make an Apple board pleased. At least we hope not. Point being that a conglomerate doesn't supersede the common citizen. SO, it isn't necessary for someone without the deep pockets "You could always buy out the lease yourself if you don't like it." to have to see something atrocious in their neighborhood daily.
I agree that the space has been enhanced by the cube. Yes, I like it. I agree that it could be further improved with seating and trees.
Sorry, it is a NYC streetscape first. The cube is just across the street from Central Park too. Ever since the misguided razing of Penn Station, NYC has been hyper-aware of the importance of architecture and how it enhances the public experience. Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome. They are lucky to be here. Don't think so? Ask Wal-Mart who is doing everything they can, even unionizing, to get a spot in the Big Apple.
Someone else pointed out diffs between Apple Stores and Wal-Marts, but at base a retail chain is a retail chain, whatever keeps it profitable and ubiquitous. Mainly I just wanted to add that it took Mickey D's decades to worm their way into the city - with explicit promises to "blend into" the "storescape" of neighborhoods. And basically they have.
Still, when I visited a medieval city in Germany - staying in a wonderful 500 year old guesthouse, after breakfast in a quaint sitting room, we went out to explore and I was totally dismayed that there was a small McDonald's two doors away - nested between many other old, charming spots. Just a clash and discordant note that still dominates many of my other memories of the stay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
I hope they make the stairs wider or maybe include another elevator. The store is a tourist magnet and these ridiculous people walk around in slow motion and show no courtesy towards others. Maybe that's how they do things in the little town where they came from, but in New York, they need to increase their tempo. People who have important things to do and places to go shouldn't be held back or constricted by these foreign snail like creatures.
You forgot to put "self-" in front of "important." So many NY'er's act like Manhattan is the pre-Galileo center of the universe, that the known world ends at the Hudson River and that their scramble for their next latte is more "important" than say, completing a cancer research center in UT. I've never met more provincial and insular people in my life, and some people from the heartland are more truly cosmopolitan and aware of bigger pictures.
NYC's (arguably) (still?) the most dynamic city in the world, but that doesn't confer any special rights or superiority on the denizens. Get over yourself already.
Comments
Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome.
1. It's more sculpture than architecture 2. You could always buy out the lease yourself if you don't like it.
Sorry, it is a NYC streetscape first. The cube is just across the street from Central Park too. Ever since the misguided razing of Penn Station, NYC has been hyper-aware of the importance of architecture and how it enhances the public experience. Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome. They are lucky to be here. Don't think so? Ask Wal-Mart who is doing everything they can, even unionizing, to get a spot in the Big Apple.
For what it is worth, I happen to like the cube and think it does fit in with its all glass, shiny, skyscraper aesthetic. Apple could have done better but it ain't bad.
Guess you don't remember what this looked like before the glass cube. The retail was below grade and it was an uninviting, windswept area. In spite of its prime location, no retail there was ever successful. I think the cube is awesome and while it's very modern, it still works well across from the Plaza Hotel and Central Park.
Having said that, it's not that the plaza couldn't be further improved, but I think that's the landlord's responsibility, not Apple's. Personally, I think that plaza could use more plantings , trees, etc. and more seating area. I actually think the glass cube entrance would be better if it had been made larger and encompassed more of the plaza. Especially at night, I think the Lincoln Center store has more impact than the cube does.
While the razing of Penn Station did raise awareness of preserving classic architecture, I actually think it did nothing to raise awareness of quality architecture for new or renovated buildings. IMO, NYC has tons of simply awful architecture. I can't think of a single recently built building that could be considered great architecture. I'm a big fan of NYC, but most European cities have far nicer streetscapes than New York does.
And the Apple/Wal-Mart comparison makes no sense to me. Wal-Mart builds ugly large stores, pays badly (although Apple's retail pay isn't great either) and their presence puts lots of other retail out of business. They sell ordinary products that wouldn't attract tourists. Apple does the opposite.
I have no idea why it needs to be taken down and put up again. Maybe it's leaking. I also don't understand why taking it down and putting it up again costs as much as the original cube. The glass is extraordinarily expensive and if it's not being replaced, the costs shouldn't be so high.
It's all a prank by Micro$oft employees. It's going to look like a giant Xbox 360 tomorrow.
Well, at least they'll be guaranteed loads of people turning up!
However, once everyone sees the M$ logo - the large crowds are sure to disperse...
I think they are replacing the glass with Ice Nine.
And Bokononism will be the new official Apple religion?
My inside sources say they're going to replace it with a pyramid like at the Louvre.
Just to be sure... You do realize that the Louvre pyramid was there before the Apple Store, right?
Just to be sure... You do realize that the Louvre pyramid was there before the Apple Store, right?
Yes but think of the symbolism, an apple inside a pyramid - maybe the Discordians are uniting with the Illuminati. They've brought back the JAMs! Clearly I need to reread my Shea/Wilson novels to determine the significance of all this - but I fear that Apple may be preparing to immanentize the eschaton.
The world is supposed to be ending in October and the 5th avenue store will be under wraps until november - coincidence? I think not!
(Apologies in advance to everybody but the 3 people who get this joke)
Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome.
Apple's first responsibility is to their shareholders. Spending millions of dollars on frivolous crap ignores that responsibility.
-kpluck
I think they are replacing the glass with Ice Nine.
So as it rains, the cube grows until it finally expands to the Atlantic and destroys the world. Nice.
Apple's first responsibility is to their shareholders. Spending millions of dollars on frivolous crap ignores that responsibility.
-kpluck
100% correct. That is why Apple manufactures in China instead of building frivolous crap American factories. Apple is a multinational conglomerate - a giant international corporation. They owe nothing to anyone except their shareholders.
I think they are replacing the glass with Ice Nine.
And Bokononism will be the new official Apple religion?
missing KV
"There is no indication of why the cube is being replaced, either because of safety concerns or simply to upgrade it to current technology,"
You wouldn't think there could be too many advances in architectural technology to warrant spending $6.6m to shuffle things around though, especially after such a short period of time. If they could find a way to make the sides seamless, that would be worth spending the money on.
Maybe given that they don't make a Cube computer, they will remodel it like the Mini so everyone has to get down on all fours to enter the store. Consumers must kneel before Apple, they are not worthy.
I find Steve's personal Cube design interesting - first the Next Cube, then the G4 Cube in 2000, 4 years after Apple bought Next, then a Cube store. It would be neat to have a 6"x6"x6" Cube - numbered like the original Mac price. If it was sold at the original Mac price too, even better - $666.66. Maybe when the 40th anniversary rolls around in 5 years they can make one.
You wouldn't think there could be too many advances in architectural technology to warrant spending $6.6m to shuffle things around though, especially after such a short period of time.
The time frame points to some sort of flaw that has only now come to light. Or a flaw that has developed from use. I gotta figure the whole structure is inspected frequently for cracks and wear. My bet is there is some concern internal to Apple or it's insurer that has spurred this redo.
And, one last thing, self-cleaning glass is now available. A very expensive coating of titanium dioxide is applied to the exterior face of each pane. Pollution and mineral deposits break down in the sunlight when in contact with the titanium dioxide coating and slough off. This could be part of the renovation. Would make sense.
Why does it need replacing, assume it's not all cracked and grungy.
It's not. They are doing ground level repairs and removing the cube to avoid damage which would be more costly than the removal
Apple's first responsibility is to their shareholders. Spending millions of dollars on frivolous crap ignores that responsibility.
-kpluck
Sorry, you are missing the point. Apple is responsible to enhance the cityscape irrelevant of their boardmemmbers. NYC Gov't and city planning has ordinances and rules for the installation of art or entrances or something that is supposedly both. I am sure community boards, local council members, etc. were involved in the approval of the piece. Sorry, the city doesn't hand over the keys to make an Apple board pleased. At least we hope not. Point being that a conglomerate doesn't supersede the common citizen. SO, it isn't necessary for someone without the deep pockets "You could always buy out the lease yourself if you don't like it." to have to see something atrocious in their neighborhood daily.
I agree that the space has been enhanced by the cube. Yes, I like it. I agree that it could be further improved with seating and trees.
So perfect in a single large (50') piece of sculptered glass, that they won't have the heart to cut a doorway in it.
All shopping will have to be done via iOS devices while admiring from the street-level plaza.
The Apple Store employees will have to come up before the Apple is installed.
Clearly.
Sorry, it is a NYC streetscape first. The cube is just across the street from Central Park too. Ever since the misguided razing of Penn Station, NYC has been hyper-aware of the importance of architecture and how it enhances the public experience. Apple has a responsibility to the community to make whatever they put there awesome. They are lucky to be here. Don't think so? Ask Wal-Mart who is doing everything they can, even unionizing, to get a spot in the Big Apple.
Someone else pointed out diffs between Apple Stores and Wal-Marts, but at base a retail chain is a retail chain, whatever keeps it profitable and ubiquitous. Mainly I just wanted to add that it took Mickey D's decades to worm their way into the city - with explicit promises to "blend into" the "storescape" of neighborhoods. And basically they have.
Still, when I visited a medieval city in Germany - staying in a wonderful 500 year old guesthouse, after breakfast in a quaint sitting room, we went out to explore and I was totally dismayed that there was a small McDonald's two doors away - nested between many other old, charming spots. Just a clash and discordant note that still dominates many of my other memories of the stay.
I hope they make the stairs wider or maybe include another elevator. The store is a tourist magnet and these ridiculous people walk around in slow motion and show no courtesy towards others. Maybe that's how they do things in the little town where they came from, but in New York, they need to increase their tempo. People who have important things to do and places to go shouldn't be held back or constricted by these foreign snail like creatures.
You forgot to put "self-" in front of "important." So many NY'er's act like Manhattan is the pre-Galileo center of the universe, that the known world ends at the Hudson River and that their scramble for their next latte is more "important" than say, completing a cancer research center in UT. I've never met more provincial and insular people in my life, and some people from the heartland are more truly cosmopolitan and aware of bigger pictures.
NYC's (arguably) (still?) the most dynamic city in the world, but that doesn't confer any special rights or superiority on the denizens. Get over yourself already.