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Work Begins on Grand Central Terminal Apple Store, Opening Mid-November?

Monday August 15, 2011 1:23 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
Work has begun on Apple's massive new retail store in Manhattan's historic Grand Central Terminal as the company works quickly to try to open the store in time for the holiday shopping season. As noted at last month's approval for the project, Apple will be able to move forward on a very tight construction timetable due to the fact that only minimal changes to the building itself are permitted.


Earlier this month, one MacRumors reader passed along a photo showing the closed off stairway to the former Metrazur restaurant where the Apple retail store is being constructed, suggesting that at least preparatory work was underway to close the restaurant and turn the site over to Apple's contractors.


Another reader has now passed along new photos showing work underway, and while the view from the concourse below the store is primarily of scaffolding and plastic tarps, it is clear that things are moving forward.


We've been told by an employee at Grand Central Terminal that crews have already demolished the kitchen area of the former Metrazur restaurant and are working to turn it into a storage room for the Apple retail store.

In addition, Apple has reportedly indicated that it is planning to open the store in time for the "Black Friday" shopping rush, which falls on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and represents the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Black Friday falls on November 25th this year, and Apple is said to possibly be shooting for a grand opening on November 12th, in line with the previously-reported four-month construction timeframe with respect to last month's project approval.

Thanks, Beau & Mike!
[ 42 comments ]

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AppleScruff1
23 months ago
I'm going to head down there this weekend and start camping out so I can be the first customer.
Rating: 8 Positives
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AppleScruff1
23 months ago

Wow. The question is, will there be glass enclosure? Maybe the Cube will be moved here?


Maybe they'll enclose Grand Central in a giant glass cube with a statue of Steve on top.
Rating: 6 Positives
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chrono1081
23 months ago
If they can get an entire store up in time for Black Friday I'll be impressed.
Rating: 4 Positives
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Nicolas4ever
23 months ago

What a brain-dead idea by Apple. Taking a very historic and iconic terminal in NYC and putting their awful gaudy glass monstrosity-type store there. It is going to look out of place, it is going to be an eye sore for people who visit and commute, and by the way Apple, you already have four stores in Manhattan alone, one just a 10 minute walk from Grand Central. Is this one really necessary?

The only reason they are letting this even go forward is because Apple has more money than they know what to do with, and have forked over obscene amounts of money for this space.

I for one, even being a fan of Apple products, will never visit this store. I travel through Grand Central Terminal everday; this store is going to look SO out of place it is not even funny.

so you joined the site just for that ? great start
Rating: 3 Positives
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ericmooreart
23 months ago
An Apple store in Grand Central is not a great idea. The place is already a mad house. I avoid it like the plague. Imagine the line for a new product release next to the line for train tickets, next to the line for the restrooms, next to the line of tourist realizing they are in a line to no where.

The spot they wanted by the Empire State building would have been perfect.
Rating: 3 Positives
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lws
23 months ago

this store is going to look SO out of place it is not even funny.


Pretty sure, Apple is capable of other designs than glass cubes.

If you, please, have a look at these, for example:

Apple Store, Paris, Opéra (http://www.apple.com/fr/retail/opera/)
Apple Store, London, Regent Street (http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/)
Apple Store, London, Covent Garden (http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/coventgarden/)
Rating: 2 Positives
Avatar
iSee
23 months ago

What a brain-dead idea by Apple. Taking a very historic and iconic terminal in NYC and putting their awful gaudy glass monstrosity-type store there. It is going to look out of place, it is going to be an eye sore for people who visit and commute, and by the way Apple, you already have four stores in Manhattan alone, one just a 10 minute walk from Grand Central. Is this one really necessary?

The only reason they are letting this even go forward is because Apple has more money than they know what to do with, and have forked over obscene amounts of money for this space.

I for one, even being a fan of Apple products, will never visit this store. I travel through Grand Central Terminal everday; this store is going to look SO out of place it is not even funny.


Grand Central is full of retail shops, kiosks, bars, restaurants, food stands, etc. It's hard for me to see how an Apple store is going to ruin it.

Also, the pics I saw do not show anything that could be described as a monstrosity.

I think you need to chill a little.
Rating: 2 Positives
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toddybody
23 months ago
I'm most excited for the Hagia Sofia Apple Store
Rating: 2 Positives
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barkomatic
23 months ago



It's only going to take them 3 months to build it?

Meanwhile in Dallas, we've been waiting about 6 months for them to finish the expanded Apple Store.


They are essentially putting tables out and creating a secure room to store the merchandise. It's really not going to be a traditional Applestore and I don't believe it will even be enclosed. Not much to build really. Think of it as a giant Apple flea market set up upon marble. :)
Rating: 2 Positives
Avatar
Xanadu69
23 months ago
What a brain-dead idea by Apple. Taking a very historic and iconic terminal in NYC and putting their awful gaudy glass monstrosity-type store there. It is going to look out of place, it is going to be an eye sore for people who visit and commute, and by the way Apple, you already have four stores in Manhattan alone, one just a 10 minute walk from Grand Central. Is this one really necessary?

The only reason they are letting this even go forward is because Apple has more money than they know what to do with, and have forked over obscene amounts of money for this space.

I for one, even being a fan of Apple products, will never visit this store. I travel through Grand Central Terminal everday; this store is going to look SO out of place it is not even funny.
Rating: 2 Positives

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