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Boston's flagship Apple Store moving to Newbury Street?

NYC has its cube, and Boston has...rumors and red tape.* When Apple first announced their intentions to build a huge retail store right in downtown Boston (Back Bay area), I was very excited. A flagship store right in the city! Soon a sketch of the proposed Boylston Street design emerged, as did the ire of Boston's Back Bay Architectural Commission (BBAC), who were none too pleased with the store's decidedly modern facade.

Today, ifoAppleStore is reporting that the massive building that has housed the Virgin Megastore on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury Street for the past several years will close in the summer of 2007 to make way for a new, "...upscale retailer." I can tell you that this is a huge (larger than any existing Apple Store), gorgeous building in a very pedestrian-friendly, upscale shopping district of Boston, and only a few blocks away from the site of their original proposal. Using this property would also keep the BBAC at bay (as it were).

Here's hoping this comes true, as this is a wonderful building in an even better location.

*Not that I keep track of the NYC/Boston rivalry or anything.


NYC has its cube, and Boston has...rumors and red tape.* When Apple first announced their intentions to build a huge retail store right in...
 

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Matt

I don't think that's a good idea at all. If Apple wants high end, they're on the wrong end of Newbury St.

May 02 2006 at 10:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bufflo

Hmm that's at the lowend section of Newbury. I doubt being close to Berklee would really matter much, but sitting right on top of the B-line (subway) probably could. There's always people moving in and out of that area, at most hours.

May 02 2006 at 6:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Will

speakin of apple stores.
Canada is about to get a second apple store at the eaton's centre in Toronto
more here (scroll down): http://www.torontoeatoncentre.com/store/index.ch2

May 01 2006 at 10:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brendan Sheehan jnr

Play this video!

http://www.360newbury.com/home/index.html

May 01 2006 at 7:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
andrew

#8, i agree completely. this location is not nearly as good as the boylston site. it's waaay down at the end of newbury, and most shoppers don't make it past exeter or fairfield. the boylston site would have been ideal-- not only is it next to the pru, but it is in an area that is going to really take off once the mandarin oriental hotel is built.

May 01 2006 at 7:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt

This location is much less desireable than the Boylston, it is at the end of Newbury, in a less traveled area. Also, that corner isnt the safest corner in Boston.

May 01 2006 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hans

Cool, I went to Berklee (!) a couple of years ago and yes, that building is a football field from the school.

This would actually be a reason to go back to Boston to see what else has changed. Hmmm... no I'm getting the blues for the time passed.

May 01 2006 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sparky

That building's actually an early Frank Gehry redesign (over an exisitng structure), a bit of pedigree Apple might use to justify going there instead of rebuilding elsewhere. I don't know that the space would suit their vibe, though, even if the location is still a good one for them.

May 01 2006 at 5:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aron Levy

It's incredibly close to Berkeley. Also, if you look at the stores nearby, they're all right in Apple's targeted demographic. I think it's a fantastic location, much better than Back Bay. Plus, you have all of the walking dollar bills coming down Newbury. Which actually reminds me. It's not like Apple doesn't have the capital to rent/purchase a space on Newbury or Boylston. Just my two cents. Ciao!

May 01 2006 at 4:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gerald Buckley

That would be so huge! I had the good fortune to train up for OSX Server 10.4 in Boston in November. Even bought my 17" PowerBook while I was there (at the mall store)... I would LOVE to see a monster store there for a lot of reasons :)

May 01 2006 at 4:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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