Before and After Pictures of Apple's Fifth Avenue Cube Redesign

Yesterday Apple revealed the changes it is making to the iconic Fifth Avenue Cube in a drawing on the side of the temporary construction barriers. The multi-million dollar upgrade will reduce the number of glass panes from 90 to 15 by using larger, seamless pieces of glass, and will give the cube a much cleaner, more streamlined look:

newcube560
The above rendering of the new cube, provided to Gothamist by Apple, shows what the improved structure will look like. Compare the simplified glass structure in the rendering above to the much more complicated glass in the old cube:

oldcube560
The tall, huge pieces of glass bring to mind the glass frontages in newer Apple Stores like the Pudong location in Shanghai or the Upper West Side location in Manhattan. IFOAppleStore has additional details about the new glass technology behind the building.

The upgraded cube is scheduled for completion this November.

Top Rated Comments

Consultant Avatar
154 months ago
In another 5 years we'll get the unibody cube!
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnnyrb Avatar
154 months ago
I like the original.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kebabselector Avatar
154 months ago
Looks great. Nice and simple.

Though I'd like a matte option :p
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
levitynyc Avatar
154 months ago
is it any thinner?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mpm277 Avatar
154 months ago
Oh ok, now that I see it has fewer lines; definitely worth 6 million.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
154 months ago
Whenever pitching before/after graphics, always show the new in bright sunlight, with perfectly clean, sanitized surroundings, and show the existing structure on a dark evening, on an overcast, rainy day with cluttered surroundings.

Looks good.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)