problems in Melbourne, changes in Paris and new store in China

Apple Stores: problems in Melbourne, changes in Paris and new store in China

Last December, we commented on the announcement of the new “flagship Apple’s global Federation Square, located in Melbourne (Australia). Since then, Apple has faced some problems with the local community after the architectural design of the new store was not approved and, for construction, the building Yarra Building it would have to be demolished.

Despite the setbacks, Apple ultimately got the project approved and went ahead with the normal schedule, and construction is planned to begin early next year. However, Federation Square recently received temporary property protection from the NTA (National Trust of Australia), a non-governmental body committed to the promotion and conservation of natural and historical and culturally important heritage for Australia.

Melbourne Apple Store Project

The protection order is expected to last until December this year, which would not be a problem for the Cupertino giant, since the works are only scheduled for next year. However, when the temporary protection ends, the NTA will deliberate on the permanent protection of the region, which could disrupt Apple’s plans for good.

In addition to all this, last week the Melbourne city council revised the design and infrastructure plans of the project built by Apple in partnership with the company Foster and Partners, pointing out more flaws that could cause the “loss of definition of the square”. Among the changes, the council inferred that there is a lack of feeding places and environments for domestic animals to stay, as disclosed by The Age.

Despite receiving status as a protected area, the Australian state government is taking sides with Apple, as well as other companies that have plans to build on the site, and said there is not enough reason to add a location to the cultural heritage list. who is “just 16 years old”. Regarding design changes, we will see if Apple will be able to make so many changes to win even more support from the Australian government.

New store in Paris due to open in November

After more than two years of waiting, the new flagship of Apple in a building located in Avenue des Champs-Élysées, prestigious avenue of Paris (France), should open in November this year, as disclosed by the La Chaîne Info.

Apple Store on Avenue Champs-Élysées

The store is located at the entrance to the JM Weston, a French shoe brand, and Apple chose to preserve the classic character of the building by carrying out only a few renovations. In addition, the building’s five-story atrium will act as Apple’s largest forum in a flagship, while some offices have also been installed on site.

Like the Melbourne store, the new flagship in Paris it was also designed by the company Foster and Partners. During the construction process, some photos revealed the work on the outside of the building. According to 9to5Mac, the building was being sold for $ 864 million, however, the final value was not released after the agreement reached last April between Apple and the owner.

Apple Carrousel Du Louvre

At the same time that Apple is preparing to open a new store in Paris, it should close another one in a well-known spot in the city, at the Carrousel Du Louvre shopping center. Opened in November 2009, the store was Apple’s first in France and has received over 12 million visitors since then.

Still according to the 9to5Mac, the main reason for the closure of Apple’s activities on site is a disagreement between the modern design of the latest Apple stores with the lack of possibility of major renovations to the site (which is underground), in addition to other problems with the infrastructure of the mall.

Some of the Apple employees Carrousel Du Louvre will be relocated to the new store on the Champs-Élysées and to the more than 20 official Apple outlets in France. For now, no official dates have been released for the closing of the store at the Louvre or the official opening date of the new Champs-Élysées store.

Apple prepares to open another store in China

In addition to the store in Paris, Apple is preparing to open its newest store in China, this time located in Suzhou, one of the biggest tourist spots in the country. Located at the entrance to the tallest building in Suzhou, the store is in the city’s commercial center and expects to receive one of the highest numbers of visitors per month.

Apple Store in Shuzou

Over the past week, the store’s facade has been decorated with red paper that displays the Apple logo in a chrome tone, as disclosed by a user on a Chinese social network. The banners are the first official confirmation of the opening of an on-site Apple Store, although rumors have persisted since last year. Since then, Apple has made no formal announcement about the new store.

The opening of Suzhou is part of Apple’s project to open new stores and renovate old locations, such as Paris, and more openings are expected to take place by the end of this month. In addition to the new flagship, Apple is expected to invest more than $ 1.5 billion in two new development and research centers, one in Suzhou and the other in Shanghai.

via MacRumors, 9to5Mac