San Francisco approves Union Square retail store, more iconic than Fifth Avenue glass cube

The San Francisco city planning commission today approved Apple’s plan to build a new retail store in Union Square. The store will be a flagship location and will sport a design that is more iconic than the company’s New York City 5th Avenue cube. Apple’s original plan was rejected by the commission, but the revised plan presented today was approved. The new building plan requires the relocation of a historic fountain outside the store using a method that’ll have minimal impact on the integrity of the fountain. Apple will transport the fountain in one piece and move it to a more central location in the plaza. The Union Square building will feature two full-height sliding glass panels and two regular doors to be used an entrance when the larger panels were closed. The front and back sides will be glass, while the top appears to be steel. There will be two floors for customers and merchandise. The San Francisco city planning commission voted 5-1 in favor of Apple’s plan, which must be reevaluated for improved accessibility to the second floor and the plaza. Apple’s next hurdle will the Board of Supervisors, who also must approve the plan before Apple can begin demolition on the current structure that is in its place. Continue reading →

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