Katie Marsal
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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34 Comments
Will Perdro Martinez and the Philadephia Phanatic cut the ribbon?
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.
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.
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.
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?