Apple Plans Biggest Store in Transit Core—But How?
By Laura Kusisto February 17, 2011 9:17 pm
reprints
Trusty real estate sources told The Observer a couple of weeks ago that Apple wants to open a store in Grand Central. Now the blog Cult of Mac has confirmed the news with a source close to the company and reports that the world’s largest Mac shack is coming to the Beaux Arts landmark.
The company has been tight-lipped thus far, although one source close to the deal did confirm the rumor for us last week. The store will likely open in early September, according to the tech blog.
But here’s the real kicker: If this is, indeed, the world’s largest Apple (AAPL) store, it will have to top 16,000 square feet. As anyone who’s played dodge-the-tourist in Grand Central knows, there’s not a lot of open space in the transport hub. To The Observer‘s eye the only way this tasteful store could fit would be if they combine major retail spaces like the Rite Aid, Posman Books and Pylones. The Cult’s source notes that the process could involve tearing down walls, which won’t make preservationists happy.
When we spoke with the MTA, they said all prospective tenants have to undergo an extensive public approval process so there are still big hurdles to overcome before this Apple is in the basket.
lkusisto@observer.com
