Apple's Jobs tweaks his $9M glass cube
Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs is reported to have been unhappy with some of the materials used to construct his $9 million glass cube outside the future home of one of the company's flagship retail stores in Midtown Manhattan.
As a result, changes are already being made to the structure, which remains shrouded by large black panels as it awaits a formal unveiling alongside the 20,000-square-foot location later this spring.
When workers began removing the black plywood panels from the cube last week, it looked as if construction was nearly complete. However, a report on ifoAppleStore explains the workers were instead swapping out sophisticated titanium hardware -- positioned between the glass panels -- because Jobs complained they were too conspicuous and interrupted the esthetic of the cube.
It's been reported that Jobs personally designed and paid for the 32-foot-by-32-foot hollow glass structure, which will mark the top floor entrance to the underground retail store at 767 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th streets. In fact, reports have also indicated that leasing arrangements for the store were finalized only after landlord Harry Macklowe promised the Apple CEO he could take his big $9 million cube with him at the end of the 20-year lease.
People who have interviewed for positions at the upcoming location say Apple is working to open the store and glass cube to the public by the end of May. The store may be unique in that -- in the city that never sleeps -- it could be the first retail location from Apple to operate 24-hours a day. Apple, however, has thus far declined to comment on the rumors.
As a result, changes are already being made to the structure, which remains shrouded by large black panels as it awaits a formal unveiling alongside the 20,000-square-foot location later this spring.
When workers began removing the black plywood panels from the cube last week, it looked as if construction was nearly complete. However, a report on ifoAppleStore explains the workers were instead swapping out sophisticated titanium hardware -- positioned between the glass panels -- because Jobs complained they were too conspicuous and interrupted the esthetic of the cube.
It's been reported that Jobs personally designed and paid for the 32-foot-by-32-foot hollow glass structure, which will mark the top floor entrance to the underground retail store at 767 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th streets. In fact, reports have also indicated that leasing arrangements for the store were finalized only after landlord Harry Macklowe promised the Apple CEO he could take his big $9 million cube with him at the end of the 20-year lease.
People who have interviewed for positions at the upcoming location say Apple is working to open the store and glass cube to the public by the end of May. The store may be unique in that -- in the city that never sleeps -- it could be the first retail location from Apple to operate 24-hours a day. Apple, however, has thus far declined to comment on the rumors.
Comments
Originally posted by Timeline
Hmmm ... Borg like
We are the Borg. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Long live iEverything.
Originally posted by AppleInsider
the workers were instead swapping out sophisticated titanium hardware -- positioned between the glass panels -- because Jobs complained they were too conspicuous and interrupted the esthetic of the cube.
"The Steve" is a bit of a nutjob sometimes. But don't we love him because of it? I mean, seriously, this is the kind of thing that makes Apple so cool.
I, for one, would love to see some other CEOs put this level of thought into some of the products/services/facilities they offer.
I second that.
In fact, reports have also indicated that leasing arrangements for the store were finalized only after landlord Harry Macklowe promised the Apple CEO he could take big $9 million cube with him at the end of the 20-year lease."
This guy is going to be wearing tissue boxes on his feet pretty soon. You just know it.
I am curious why this cube costs so much! $9M, that's very steep. I'd choose a different builder next time.
Originally posted by Ireland
I third that!! And also believe that his never settling for second best type personality is the reason that apple's products are of such quailty.
Unless he spends all his time staring at a giant glass cube instead.
Originally posted by Ireland
I third that!! And also believe that his never settling for second best type personality is the reason that apple's products are of such quailty.
I am curious why this cube costs so much! $9M, that's very steep. I'd choose a different builder next time.
I'm not sure. How much do 32' glass cubes usually run?
He sure is a perfectionist, i admire those qualities in him. I'm quite a perfectionist myself, and i didn't know whether it was a bad or good thing. On the whole, i think it just stretches yourself to create something better.
I would like to design giant cubes on the side of MY job!
Originally posted by the_snitch
I read in the "Steve Jobs: iCon" book that in the 90's Steve demanded that the NeXT Computer factory be repainted several times as it "Wasn't the right shade of black". He also spent ridiculous amounts of money on a central glass staircase. However the factory has now become somewhat of an icon in the Valley i believe.
He sure is a perfectionist, i admire those qualities in him. I'm quite a perfectionist myself, and i didn't know whether it was a bad or good thing. On the whole, i think it just stretches yourself to create something better.
It often seems that a lot of the people who work in the computing industry are a little OCD. I have a feeling that Steve, as much as he's a genius, is probably a bit OCD as well.
Either way, it looking amazing. As did the G4 Cube for that matter. Gotta love the Apple design innovations
Originally posted by 1984
It's really just a bunch of glass panes assembled together in the shape of a cube.
I doubt it. Have you ever seen large glass structures? You can't just stack panes on edge and expect it to have anything resembling structural integrity, especially in strong city winds. There's a lot more engineering there than you think, especially if Steve demands the hardware be inconspicuous.
<obscure Cube joke> But, actually, those aren't cracks. They're mold lines. Honestly. </obscure Cube joke>
Originally posted by the_snitch
in the 90's Steve demanded that the NeXT Computer factory be repainted several times as it "Wasn't the right shade of black".
I heard it was the robots and the shade of gray. Coule have been both though.
Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
I heard it was the robots and the shade of gray. Coule have been both though.
I actually meant shade of grey aswell. Because, of course, there is only one shade of black, and anything else is grey.
PS - Just recieved in my email an invitation to WWDC to "See Leopard before it leaps into action."
Anyone else in the ADC and thinking of going?