Apple to Renovate Iconic Fifth Avenue Store, Temporarily Relocate to FAO Schwarz Building

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York City will soon close for renovations and temporarily relocate to the soon-to-be-vacated FAO Schwarz toy store in the General Motors Building, according to the Associated Press. The report does not offer a timeline for the renovation plans.

Apple Store Fifth Avenue FAO Schwarz

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store, left, and nearby FAO Schwarz store, far right (Flickr)

FAO Schwarz, the oldest toy store in the United States, is set to vacate its ground-level store in the General Motors Building in July 2015 due to the rising cost of rent. The storefront is located just steps away from the current Apple Store at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue, so the temporary move should be rather seamless.

Apple reportedly plans to renovate about 20 existing retail stores in the United States to accommodate for increased foot traffic, with many stores set to double in size. Apple's flagship Regent Street store in United Kingdom is among the stores that will be renovated, while San Francisco's Union Square store will be relocated.

Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue retail store was last renovated in 2011 when larger, seamless panes of glass were installed. The renovation was completed in November 2011, with before and after pictures and a YouTube video providing a good look at the transition to a more seamless design.

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Top Rated Comments

kybldmstr Avatar
131 months ago
Goes to buy Apple Watch from super expensive toy store (ironic)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JeffyTheQuik Avatar
131 months ago
If it like other Apple Stores I have been to it most likely people hanging out for the free wi-Fi or surf on the unlocked Macs.

Apple really needs to stop stuff like this and figure out to stop these vampires.
Why? It builds up good feelings to Apple, and it doesn't hurt me.

Stores that kick people out build up bad feelings and press.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wombat94 Avatar
131 months ago

Note: The pic used in this article sucks - feel free to use this one!
I'll just point out that the pic in the article "sucks" if you just want to see a picture of the Apple Store Cube... but it was specifically chosen to show the proximity of the FAO store to the Apple store (as pointed out in the caption on the photo)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
131 months ago
I can't believe FAO is closing. That store has been there for ages. Sure, Apple stores are nice but they are everywhere; there's only one FAO Schwartz.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
131 months ago
A "problem" Microsoft will never have to face.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WildCowboy Avatar
131 months ago
That's annoying! Visiting NYC in Aug and this was one of my stops!!!
Current store will likely still be open in August...FAO Schwarz doesn't close until July 15, and then it'll have to be prepped for Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)