CHICAGO | General Developments

[wierdaaron]

There have been persistent rumors, including a premature announcement by an alderman, about an Apple Store at Roosevelt Collection as well, but that's always seemed like a long shot. I don't think there's any large units available there, which, wow, is a surprising thing to say about that place.

[Ryanrule]

they should buy out that stupid mattress store at state and Roosevelt.

[UPChicago]

Originally Posted by Ryanrule

they should buy out that stupid mattress store at state and Roosevelt.

You do realize that store is far too small to be an apple store. Also its not a good location.

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

One guy did say they should be encouraging those people to stay and spend their money and build motor row back up.

Indeed there was, that was me.

[Swicago Swi Sox]

Originally Posted by ChiTownCity

I just hope they don't get rid of/close off that pedestrian bridge...

Unfortunatly, about half of the bridge is attached directly to the building they are tearing down, so it will probably not remain in its current form...but I agree that I hope they put it back...

[wierdaaron]

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

Indeed there was, that was me.

Thought it sounded like a SSPer thing to say, but I convinced myself there must be other people who see the benefit of increased density and foot traffic.

[streetline]

Originally Posted by tjp

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/reale...51H5815023C7T#

Apple is looking for other locations on Michigan Avenue, including the current Top Shop space, apparently. I wonder if this means Top Shop is thinking of closing already or moving, or if GGP is just willing to get rid of them in order to secure Apple as a tenant?

What I'd like to see is Apple taking over that project we recently saw to put a small building on Pioneer Court as an entrance to a river-level restaurant below. (http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...-glass-box.php)

With the shift south towards Millennium Park, Pioneer Court is a lot more central than it used to be, so it would work well for Apple from a traffic standpoint.

And the site is an amazing fit for them. For some strange reason, Apple seems to do their best stores in locations like that where they can build an iconic standalone glass structure acting as an entrance for a larger below-ground store. I imagine the river-level frontage could only add to that sort of store.

Compare this:
https://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/
or this:
https://www.apple.com/cn/retail/pudong/
or this:
https://www.apple.com/tr/retail/zorlucenter/
to the concept image for the location in the curbed article (or compare it to the existing Chicago Apple Stores; I've actually been kind of disappointed in Apple's Chicago stores given what they've done elsewhere).

[wierdaaron]

^Thats a great idea. A while ago I said Hancock Center should get rid of their sunken retail plaza and do something like those underground Apple Stores, but if they did that right on the river it could help activate river-level retail as a concept.

[the urban politician]

^ I don't know. It would be too much like "hey look at me, I'm just like New York!" for me.

[chris11]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ I don't know. It would be too much like "hey look at me, I'm just like New York!" for me.

I don't think so. Apple may want that signature design for heavy pedestrian areas. Not necessarily us trying to be just like New York.

[streetline]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ I don't know. It would be too much like "hey look at me, I'm just like New York!" for me.

New York isn't the only place they've gone with that sort of all glass entry/skylight design. I actually prefer the cylindrical Pudong store.
But, yeah, I suppose there are people who would only have heard of the New York one and think it's a knock-off.

And it would be a very strong piece of branding in a very prominent location (even if there is no sign text and the logo itself is smaller than the one at the existing Magnificent Mile store), so I suppose some people might find it too commercial.

I imagine I'd still prefer it to getting the restaurant entrance depicted in the curbed article plus a renovation of an existing space for the new Apple Store.

[ardecila]

I'd prefer not to have retail on Pioneer Court... it's actually a very impressive civic space that isn't cluttered with commercialism. Restaurants (especially big outdoor ones like Howell and Hood) match that civic character pretty well, and they are commonplace on European plazas... Flagship retail, not so much.

That Apple underground design is actually very clever - they can go into weird below-grade spaces that are pretty undesirable otherwise, so they pay less in rent. Apple is iconic enough that they don't need passersby to see inside like a traditional store. Plus, in underground spots, they don't need to take up valuable wall space for windows and they get maximal space for merchandise and graphics.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by j korzeniowski

you're not alone. it is somewhat of an icon, at least to me, but as you say, i won't be down there with a picket if they tear it down.

i think because it was in some 80's movies (including, i think, that shitty parent-and-offspring-switch-bodies movie with fred savage and judge reinhold had a scene there.)

Relieved to hear it's not just me. Thought it might be just us.

Originally Posted by tjp

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/reale...51H5815023C7T#

Apple is looking for other locations on Michigan Avenue, including the current Top Shop space, apparently. I wonder if this means Top Shop is thinking of closing already or moving, or if GGP is just willing to get rid of them in order to secure Apple as a tenant?

Yeah, my first thoughts went to Topshop, too. I didn't see any news on Racked, but maybe that's because I was distracted by their Hottest Trainer contest.

[Rizzo]

I'm surprised the michigan ave apple store rumors have come to light only recently. Seems like this was discussed here over a year ago.

[wierdaaron]

Is the old Filene's Basement space in the Top Shop building still vacant? I wonder if they might just buy the whole building, kick everyone out, and knock it down.

[ChickeNES]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Is the old Filene's Basement space in the Top Shop building still vacant? I wonder if they might just buy the whole building, kick everyone out, and knock it down.

Isn't that where Uniqlo is opening?

[k1052]

There are a lot of strange assumptions about Apple in here like them not being willing to build into existing historical structures when there is ample evidence to the contrary. GCT, Soho (NYC), Covent Garden, Opera (Paris), Lincoln Road (Miami), and many others. I would be floored if they moved south of the river and historical buildings are not at all out of the realm of consideration for a new North Michigan Ave store. Most of the stuff along Michigan to isn't that type of building anyway and any of those landlords would be tripping over themselves to rent to Apple and would agree to any required modifications.

A secondary store may be in the future for the loop/millennium park but that doesn't look like something that will happen in the near term, particularly with the Lincoln Park store having opened only a few years ago.

[Skyguy_7]

Riverwalk, at State St. Please excuse photo quality. Wolf Point crane can be seen in the background

[the urban politician]

Frankly I would hate to see Apple move into the Topshop space. Topshop only moved there recently, and their store has a nice presence overlooking that little Water Tower plaza. Besides, Apple is more of a technology store, and the Mag Mile's character is more about apparel than anything else. I would prefer to see Apple do a sleek store but at a site not so prominent and defining of the Mag Mile than the Topshop site.

Again, just my personal opinion.

[XIII]

Maybe Apple could be part of the NAR plans

It would give them their best shot at a custom built space on the mile.