Apple unveiling redesigned Fifth Ave glass cube on Friday
The Mac maker posted a note on its retail website (via MacRumors) notifying customers of the scheduling change. Normally, the store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Apple began the $6.7 million project in June and will meet the "early November" completion estimate that it submitted in permits to the city. The project's purpose was to simplify the cube, reducing the number of glass panes from 90 to 15.
In September, the company began slowly removing the temporary structure surrounding the cube. Workers began taking off the white covering along the bottom section of the cube on Thursday in preparation for the unveiling.
The store opened in May 2006 and has since become a popular destination for tourists.
Workers preparing 5th Ave cube for Friday launch. Credit: Derek Gordon.
In the wake of the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in early October, mourners flocked to the cube to pay their respects, leaving apples, flowers and hand-written notes. The iconic structure has become closely associated with Jobs, as he played a part in designing it and even paid for it with his own money.
After a meteoric rise over the past ten years, Apple's retail initiative is in a period of transition. Ron Johnson, who had headed the company's retail unit since 2000, left Apple this week to become the new chief executive at J.C. Penney. The Cupertino, Calif., iPhone maker has yet to announce his replacement.
As of the September quarter, Apple had a total of 357 retail stores around the world. The company plans to open 40 stores next quarter, with most of them located outside the U.S.
14 Comments
Did I read somewhere that Jobs personally paid for the re-do of the cube?
This took longer to put up than I thought it would.
Did I read somewhere that Jobs personally paid for the re-do of the cube?
I thought he paid for the original glass cube.
Did I read somewhere that Jobs personally paid for the re-do of the cube?
But why? How would that happen? I mean, it's peanuts in the scheme of things. The idea that he did pay for it himself would suggest that someone with more clout said no to either the original cube or the re-design. I'm not saying not, but it just looks so much like a tall tale.
No matter, I look forward to seeing it.
On a side note, did anybody catch the PBS doco last night? Not so great in my opinion. The hitherto unseen interview which lasted all of 15 seconds did not reveal anything that we had not heard. A worthwhile watch, but by no means a class act.
But why? How would that happen? I mean, it's peanuts in the scheme of things. The idea that he did pay for it himself would suggest that someone with more clout said no to either the original cube or the re-design. I'm not saying not, but it just looks so much like a tall tale.
No matter, I look forward to seeing it.
On a side note, did anybody catch the PBS doco last night? Not so great in my opinion. The hitherto unseen interview which lasted all of 15 seconds did not reveal anything that we had not heard. A worthwhile watch, but by no means a class act.
Spot on pax, I watched it today on my ipad2 (PBS app). Having read the book the special seemed superficial at best. Although, it was rather interesting seeing his neighborhood where he took his walks!
I don't know I like the older one in some ways. All those panels gives it a sorta sparkly look. But I guess it isn't as strong as having 3 panels per side. I guess the cleaner look is what they are striving for. I wonder if this was some thing that Steve was personally involved in. After all he did brag about liberal arts and technology right? (((((((((