Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail
Apple throws out plans for Portland store
Just as the battle for Apple Store Boston continues, ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple has decided not to further pursue plans to construct one of its retail stores in Portland, Oregon. Apple initially showed interest in building a store in the city in November 2005, when it presented the city's Historic Landmarks Commission with a proposed design. The Commission felt that Apple's trademark metal paneled exterior didn't mesh well with the "historical image" of the Northwest District which it is charged with administering. A second proposed design was rejected by the Commission late last month.Apple previously canceled plans for a store in New York City's Flatiron district due to similar problems involving design approvals.
Via MacNN
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John from Buffalo said 8:59AM on 7-07-2006
I guess the contributions to the Republican party didn't work as well as they thought.
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Beanie said 10:45AM on 7-07-2006
I don't get it, the SoHo store blends with the surrounding buildings, why can't they just do the same thing with the portland store?
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Steve said 11:02AM on 7-07-2006
Typical Oregonian attitude (I am one so I am not being a racist or maybe a regionlist). The silver Apple Logo would clash with all of the urine stained sidewalks and homeless that frequent the downtown district.
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mike B said 11:31AM on 7-07-2006
Not that I would mind another store in my backyard, but we do have three already. I can see why Apple wouldn't bend over backwards to put a 4th store in. And yeah, Portland is being a stick-in-the-arse over this one. If they want NW Portland to be as swanky as they think they do why not put in a high-class outfit like Apple?
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blackcrow said 12:09PM on 7-07-2006
It sounds like that the neighborhood most likely considered is the trendy Pearl District (in NW PDX). If this is so, I could not imagine it clashing at all. There is a mix of all sorts of architecture in that area.
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consumer_Q said 12:27PM on 7-07-2006
Apple, what a bunch of push-overs!
You need to stand ground and line the pockets of the city council and mayor, then make a hugenormous box - only to later vacate and leave a shell - like...well, like Wal-Mart!
Don't give up! Don't respect the wishes of a community, make the community respect your wishes!
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The Jeremy said 12:37PM on 7-07-2006
As a frequent traveler up to Portland, I would say that Apple does need another store there. However, Apple needs 1 to 4 more stores in the Sacramento area as well! Me thinks they need stores in Roseville, Elk Grove/Laguna, Folsom, and either Citrus Heights or somewhere else in Sacramento proper since the Arden Fair Mall location is so small. The money is definitely in Roseville, Folsom, and Elk Grove/Laguna.
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Gusto said 12:51PM on 7-07-2006
This is great news. There are already three Apple stores here and several great independent resellers (I work for one). More Apple stores kill the independents. This market is already saturated.
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Sy said 1:42PM on 7-07-2006
"1. I guess the contributions to the Republican party didn't work as well as they thought."
Living in Portland myself, this statement is totally false. Portland is run by liberals and has been for many many years. The NW area where Apple want to locate the store is VERY VERY liberal. This area probably voted for Al Gore 80-20. The city has many regulations and this business district has quite a few more of their own. I am not surprise Apple didn't get approval.
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John Russell said 4:06PM on 7-07-2006
I live across the river from Portland and for me none of the three Portland-area Apple stores are in the best location. It would be kind of nice if they had one in a better location, say in the NorthEast.
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Mac Diva said 10:09PM on 7-07-2006
The building is not in the Pearl District, but NW Portland proper. It previously housed a wedding dress store that kept going in and out of business. There's nothing special or historical about the building at all. The same historical commission opposed the swanky Restoration Hardware store a couple blocks away. The members though that RH (a seller of high end indoor and outdoor furniturre and effects) was a real hardware store. Considering the commission's record, Apple should be able to overcome the opposition. BTW, the store will be across from a Plaid Pantry.
The source did NOT say the new Apple Store will not be built. It questioned whether the plan is still 'On.' Without information from someone who actually knows, not just a blogger, that question cannot be answered. This is the second time I have had to point out the a TUAW blogger misrepresented what a link said today.
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lk said 7:25PM on 7-08-2006
some interesting local commentary can be found at this blog.
http://chatterbox.typepad.com/portlandarchitecture/2006/07/landmarks_commi.html
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