Roger Fingas
With its original plans to build a Stockholm store mothballed, Apple is reportedly looking to sell back the Kungstradgarden property it intended to occupy.
The company is in the process of trying to sell the site — still hosting a TGI Friday's — back to the Swedish city, according to Fastighetsvarlden. One member of Stockholm's Urban Development Committee, Bjorn Ljung, indicated that Apple is aiming for a price of 179 million kronor, or about $19.3 million — more than the 129 million kronor ($13.9 million) the company first paid.
Apple's concept was opposed not just by conservation groups but the general public, and some government organizations like Stockholm's Beauty Council. The city received approximately 1,800 public responses, nearly all of them standing up to Apple.
Corporate representatives were "completely furious" when the Kungstradgarden store was blocked, Fastighetsvarlden said. A real estate firm, Vasakronan, reportedly offered other city properties as an alternative, all of which Apple turned down.
The Kungstradgarden is a historic park often used for public events, and much of the concern over Apple's plans was that they would've commercialized the space — TGI Friday's is only able to operate because of a deal specific to cafes and restaurants. City officials would've had to rezone for private retail, and go a step further, granting the company another 375 square meters around its current land.
Apple had promised to host its own events, including concerts, but these would most likely have fallen under the "Today at Apple" banner, intended to draw store traffic.
Apple's retail vision has come into conflict with public realities numerous times in the past. Last July the company was forced to abandon its original design for a shop in Melbourne, Australia after people complained it looked like a Pizza Hut and didn't match surrounding buildings.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
37 Comments
It's sad there is a TGIF's anywhere in the world. Even more so that it would be allowed whereas an Apple Store would not.
Why would people resist these gorgeous structures?
My town doesn't even have one of these flagship beauties.
There are too many Apple haters in Sweden. Add to those the group of people who don't accept any change at all.
1800 responses is a rather small number, but the problem is that very few had voiced any opposing view.
Then, after the September election, the new conservative majority chose to go against Apple.
I realize a 6 million loss on a real estate deal is pocket change for Appje. Seems to me Apple would have all government approvals in order, permits and historical sign offs done before purchasing a property to build on.
I don't see any connection between Vasakronan, a private company, and the city of Stockholm. So the offer from Vasakronan seems to have had no official backing. I also don't understand who are the "corporate executives" mentioned in this story. Does that refer to Apple? I couldn't figure out who those corporate reps were from reading the links. Unclear story. Regardless, I see no reason to support Apple in this story - the city can refuse to rezone if it wants. If Apple bought the property before it was zoned commercial that's Apple's problem. The people of Sweden hated Abba during its heydey too, so no real surprise for a culture of rejection.