Not long ago, word went out that Apple was planning to move its downtown San Francisco location to a newly designed building two blocks away. The space they chose is across from the historical Union Square Park, and replaces the building that was formerly the Levi’s retail store. This move will be the first relocation of a high-profile Apple store in the 12 years since Apple began making its retail presence. Perhaps becoming one of the more public of Apple’s store constructions, concerns arose when plans for the new store indicated the removal of the fountain designed by noted artist Ruth Asawa and constructed in 1970. This, along with some other design elements, prompted a great deal of criticism. Around August of this year, the architects submitted design changes that retained the fountain (although it will be moved 10 feet) as well as changes to the building to make it less “massive” and jarring with the surrounding architecture. Now, according to ifo Apple Store, as part of a plan to gain city approval for its expanded San Francisco retail store design, Apple’s architects have submitted a package of renderings, photographs, architectural drawings and descriptions describing the construction in minute detail. In addition, the plans have been made public for all to see, an unprecedented move by Apple who usually keeps all building plans under wraps. You can check out a number of proposal renderings on ifo Apple Store’s site here and download the 127-page PDF of the complete building plans here.
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2 replies on “Apple releases plans for new San Francisco store”
It’s definitely a more modern design than the surrounding buildings in Union Square, although if you were able to look across the square from the new Apple store, you’d see the entire block is occupied by Macy’s which has a somewhat more modern facade. The architects provide the following responses to the contrast of the new building with its surroundings.
“The architects conclude, “There had been an interest when the (surrounding) district was being formed in the 1910s and 1920s in using large single pieces of plate glass, which were exhibited through storefronts and hinged windows on contributing buildings. Technology has advanced, but the desire for transparency has remained.””
“The service building on the west will be clad in stone, which is compatible with the masonry materials suggested for the Conservation District. The glass and metal cladding are not characteristic of the district’s materiality and texture as it stands, but are a contemporary response. The stone, glazing, and metal do appear to constitute “light colors” which would blend with the character of the district.”
I don’t think we’ll know for sure until the store is actually finished. There are many modern looking buildings downtown, so overall, the contrast isn’t too extreme…for Apple. I think the London store had the most effort put into it to maintain the building previous look.
Something wrong with the look of this design, perhaps its context with the other buildings…seems misplaced.