Plans for third Manhattan Apple store nixed (again)
Its first two flagship shops in Manhattan have been a resounding success, but Apple's pursuit of a third outfit has reportedly turned sour for a second straight year.
According to the Forbes/Slatin Real Estate Report, the Cupertino-based Mac maker is backing away from a luxuriant plan to build a multi-level store on 34th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
Citing unnamed sources, the publication said the image-conscious Apple, which leased the space from a joint venture between SL Green Realty Trust and developer Jeff Sutton last fall, is having second thoughts about the location's "coolness" and plans to put the site up for sublease.
From the start, "Apple had doubts about the compatibility of its leading-edge image with that of middle-America 34th St., at least as it currently stands," the report states. It notes that while retailers like Gap, American Eagle Outfitters and Forever 21 are happily situated along the row, "unfortunately, a lot of the old 34th St.--third-rate tourist merchants and rip-off artists--still remain."
For Apple, the reversal marks its second on a third Manhattan location in less than two years. In the fall of 2005, it abandoned plans for a glass enclosed two-story shop in Manhattan's Flatiron District after a tiresome battle with a local landmarks preservation commission.
The company's second go on 34th street would have been for a 30,000-square-foot, four-story store with about 75 feet of frontage. The lease on the site, according to Forbes, runs about $5.5 million a year.
According to the Forbes/Slatin Real Estate Report, the Cupertino-based Mac maker is backing away from a luxuriant plan to build a multi-level store on 34th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
Citing unnamed sources, the publication said the image-conscious Apple, which leased the space from a joint venture between SL Green Realty Trust and developer Jeff Sutton last fall, is having second thoughts about the location's "coolness" and plans to put the site up for sublease.
From the start, "Apple had doubts about the compatibility of its leading-edge image with that of middle-America 34th St., at least as it currently stands," the report states. It notes that while retailers like Gap, American Eagle Outfitters and Forever 21 are happily situated along the row, "unfortunately, a lot of the old 34th St.--third-rate tourist merchants and rip-off artists--still remain."
For Apple, the reversal marks its second on a third Manhattan location in less than two years. In the fall of 2005, it abandoned plans for a glass enclosed two-story shop in Manhattan's Flatiron District after a tiresome battle with a local landmarks preservation commission.
The company's second go on 34th street would have been for a 30,000-square-foot, four-story store with about 75 feet of frontage. The lease on the site, according to Forbes, runs about $5.5 million a year.
Comments
Manhattan needs more Apple stores.
SoHo is too small.
Fifth Ave. has no theater.
If anyone has the right connections, Apple should be made aware that prime (and very large) retail space is available at the corner of W. 66th St and Broadway (formerly Tower Records). In my opinion, this would be very ideal as it would form something of a triangle of availability/coverage: Eastsiders have the flagship cube store, downtown has the SOHO store, and the Westsiders would have the new one. It has everything required of a good Apple store? three levels (though downstairs would probably be used for inventory), huge expanse of retail space? an upper level that looks out over the lower? For those familiar with the old Tower store, the classical section upstairs or the area towards the back downstairs would be a great venue for presentations/classes/shows/or the Genius Bar. Add in the great demographics of the area and the picture becomes even more inviting. It sits right next to Lincoln Center and Julliard? having it as a launching point for all things iPod and music seems a natural fit. A nice bit of Apple-Jobs-karma is that it sits within throwing distance from the main offices for ABC TV... a wholly-owned subsidiary of... Disney!
Anybody know ppl involved in Apple Retail?? they need to know about this!!!