Apple will modernize stores in Florida; Melbourne construction postponed

This year, Apple opened (and closed) stores around the world. In 2019, the pace of the Apple should not be different as the company seeks to modernize its stores in several countries and regions, as we have commented in recent months.

Florida

The process of restoring Apple stores will continue in full swing in the United States. In Florida, more specifically, the company will replace or refurbish at least four of its flagships in 2019.

According to the Cupertino giant, Apple Altamonte will close on January 13 for an “extensive renovation” that is expected to last at least six months. The store, which opened in mid-2008, still boasts the old Apple Store design, with a mix of stainless steel and wood.

In another region of Florida, renovations have been underway at Apple Waterside Shops since last September. Although construction has been underway for more than three months, it is not expected to be reopened in the coming months.

Apple Aventura Mall BuildingsBuildings of the Apple Aventura Mall in Florida.

At Aventura Mall (Aventura mall, a suburb north of Miami), Apple is building a new “architecturally exclusive” store, as recently reported by The Next Miami. According to information verified by the 9to5Mac, the new Apple Store at Aventura’s shopping center will be the largest Apple store in Florida.

Apple Dadeland RenderRender from Apple Dadeland in Miami.

Meanwhile, in Miami, Apple Dadeland still has time to gather all the bundles before moving. According to South Florida Business Journal, Dadeland Mall will expand its space to new restaurants and an even larger Apple Store; according to the Development Activity Report for the complex, the project should be completed by 2020 – until then, Apple should occupy a temporary store in the shopping center.

Apple currently has 18 stores in Florida; of these, only Apple The Gardens Mall, Apple St. Johns Town Center, Apple Brickell City Center and the recently opened Apple Boca Raton offer the new design of the company’s stores.

California and Washington

Across the US, Apple has reopened two stores that have been renovated in recent months, the Apple Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica (California) and Apple Alderwood in Lynnwood (Washington).

Apple Third Street PromenadeInauguration of the Apple Third Street Promenade, in Santa Monica.

For the Californian unit, Apple built a forum and installed one of the largest screens (Video Wall) from all stores in the U.S. The Apple Third Street Promenade also won new panels with dual displays to display the prices of the devices, replacing the sheet tables used previously. In addition to the forum, the store now has a private meeting room and indoor trees.

As for Apple Alderwood, its design followed the simplest style of the new architecture of Apple stores. Despite not having internal afforestation, as the Apple Third Street Promenade, the place abandoned the stainless steel facade and adopted glass, stone block walls and wooden ceilings that give the store a feeling of comfort.

Georgia

In addition to the aforementioned buildings and openings, Apple is also planning to renovate (and change) Apple Lenox Square in Atlanta. The new space will have more than one floor and will replace the company’s current single storey store inside the shopping center, opened in 2002.

Render of Apple Lenox SquareRender of Apple Lenox Square in Atlanta.

Although the reform information is not yet clear, a report allegedly displayed by Apple reveals design elements that match the new Apple Store architecture (further implying the expansion of the flagship Atlanta), as reported by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

In addition, the image shows details of the store’s design that resemble the characteristics of Apple Alderwood. However, this is the first time that Apple has designed a “simpler” store with two floors; by doubling the height of the store, the company should create an open space that connects to the exterior of the mall (such as a terrace).

Furthermore, it appears that Apple is ready to completely rebuild the mall’s facade with six glass panels shaded by a wooden plank roof. The store should also have more than one second entrance, which can be planned to access it from inside the mall. The local company Schroeder Architects is leading the project.

Melbourne

The imbroglio of the construction of the new Apple Store in Melbourne (Australia) won another episode recently, this time with a bad outcome for Apple. According to information released by the The Age, plans for building the flagship were postponed for a year after two ministers who managed the agreements with Apple were removed from the project.

Thus, the work (which was scheduled to start in early 2019) will not start until 2020, with the eventual opening taking place only in 2021. Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews told the The Age that postponing the start of construction will not hinder the implementation of the new Apple store in Federation Square.

My position has always been: “We really want this to [a Apple Store] go to Sydney and take all the jobs and opportunities that come with it? ” This is not what I want.

In addition to the extra revenue that an Apple Store would bring, the proposal to “revitalize Federation Square” would create more than 500 square meters of new public space, among other improvements. However, the project involved the demolition of the Yarra building, a center of culture and art for public events – one of the reasons why Apple faced many difficulties in building there.

via 9to5Mac: 1, 2; Cult of Mac