Photo: Mark LennihanAssociated Press

Apple’s newest outlet at Grand Central Terminal was unveiled this morning to an onslaught of commuters and tourists, none of whom were able to buy anything. The store, which doesn’t open for business until this Friday, sits above the grand concourse and under the auspices of the structure’s starry vaulted ceiling. Light colored plywood tables beset with glowing white electronics extend across 23,000 square feet of real estate, occupying the balcony space at an annual rate of $1.1 million.

Apple said that the pared-down design, which lacks the ubiquitous glass expanses and white walls of its other storefronts, not only bows to the Grand Central historic fabric, but is better suited to accommodate jolts of consumer traffic. Features such as two genius bars, express workshops, personal pickup, and a store app that lets customers purchase items using only their phones all seem to reinforce this notion. It seems likely, however, that the 315 employees that will alternately work the floors plus a good amount of the 750,000 people who pass through the terminal daily will invariably cramp the space. Click for more photos!

Photo:Mike Segar/Reuters

Photo:Mike Segar/Reuters

Photo:Mike Segar/Reuters

Photo:Mike Segar/Reuters

by Samuel Medina

posted in Uncategorized

tagged apple, Grand Central, new york, store design

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