Apple gets official green light to build San Francisco flagship store

The San Francisco Planning Commission and the city's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to green-light amendments to Apple's revised plans for the company's upcoming San Francisco flagship retail location.

Today's vote on amendments of Apple's Union Square Apple Store plans is the final operational step in obtaining a go ahead for construction and comes less than one week after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors signed off on a planning code variance. The news was first relayed by Re/Code.

"We are thrilled that the city of San Francisco has given its final approval to begin work on our new store and public plaza, which will make a wonderful addition to Union Square and create hundreds of local jobs," said Apple spokeswoman Amy Bessette. "Our Stockton Street store has been incredibly popular, welcoming over 13 million customers since it opened nine years ago, and we look forward to making a new home on Union Square."

Apple's new SF flagship will be located on the corner of Post and Stockton, directly across from Union Square. Architectural renderings of the building show an all-new design theme that builds on current Apple Stores' "open" feel.

As seen in the latest plans, the main attraction will be a two story-tall glass facade facing Union Square. Integrated into the six-panel design are two 44-foot-tall steel-framed sliding glass doors.

Along the approval process, Apple's project has seen a number of slight alterations since being announced in 2013. For example, a small controversy forced alterations when it was discovered that Apple's original plans called for the apparent removal of a fountain designed by local artist Ruth Asawa.

While Apple has yet to announce an official start date for construction, the publication cited sources who suggest the project will begin this summer.