macbook-roofed apple store opens on chicago's riverfront
macbook-roofed apple store opens on chicago's riverfront
back in 2015, rumors of a new foster + partner-designed store along chicago’s riverfront had been circulating amongst the apple community. dubbed its ‘newest and most ambitious store’ yet, apple michigan avenue will make its grand debut on october 20th. intended as a gathering place for the local community, the store will host year-round ‘today at apple’ programming, building on chicago’s city-wide initiative to enliven the riverwalk. celebrating the opening, the apple store will host ‘the chicago series,’ a month-long set of events that will provide attendees with the tools to pursue their passions, from photography and music to coding and app design.
the apple store connects the chicago river with pioneer court and michigan avenue
foster + partner adds new access to the riverfront from pioneer court by linking them through a granite staircases on both sides of the transparent store, opening up views from the plaza to the river and beyond. ‘it’s about removing boundaries between inside and outside, reviving important urban connections within the city,’ explains jony ive, apple’s chief design officer. ‘it unites a historic city plaza that had been cut off from the water, giving chicago a dynamic new arena that flows effortlessly down to the river.’
the building’s 111-by-98 foot carbon-fiber roof was designed to be as thin as possible, and the entire structure is supported by four interior pillars
every design feature serves to minimize the boundary between the city and the chicago river.even the building’s 111-by-98 foot carbon-fiber roof was designed to be as thin as possible, and the entire structure is supported by four interior pillars that allow the 32-foot glass facades to remain unobscured.
‘the chicago series’ is a set of programs that focus on making a positive impact in the community
the store will launch the ‘the chicago series,’ a set of five programs, each with a different area of focus at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, hosted over the course of four weeks. each program is co-created with local non-profits and creative organizations, and focuses on a theme or project designed to make a positive impact in the community.‘apple michigan avenue exemplifies our new vision where everyone is welcome to experience all of our incredible products, services and inspiring educational programs in the heart of their city.’ says angela ahrendts, apple’s senior vice president of retail, ‘we can’t wait to welcome the community for opening weekend, and to launch ‘the chicago series’ with our incredible local partners on monday.’
apple’s original north michigan avenue store opened in 2003 with 58 employees and now employs a team of 250
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