The very first Apple Store opened its doors on May 19, 2001, at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Now, just over 17 years later, those doors may soon close temporarily.

apple tysons old

Apple Tysons Corner

Planning documents filed with the Department of Planning and Zoning in Fairfax County, Virginia this month, viewed by MacRumors, reveal that Apple plans to make significant interior alterations to the store, with demolition work involved, suggesting that the location is set to receive a facelift.

The permits issued don't indicate when renovations will begin, nor is it clear whether Apple will modernize the current store, or relocate to a different area of the shopping mall, as it has done with some of its other stores. An anonymous tipster tells us the store may move to the opposite end of the mall.

Apple Tysons Corner has a lot of nostalgia attached to it, as the company's first-ever retail store. Shortly before it opened to the public, the late Steve Jobs previewed the store to a group of journalists, including Walt Mossberg, introducing iconic features like the Genius Bar that still exist today.


Just months after the dot-com collapse, some critics viewed the Apple Store as a risky move. But, some 500 people lined up at Apple Tysons Corner for its grand opening, foreshadowing the long queues on iPhone launch days.

Together with Apple's store in Glendale, California, which opened the same day, the two locations welcomed over 7,700 people and sold a combined total of $599,000 of merchandise during their first two day weekend, according to Apple's press release at the time. It was considered a resounding success.

Apple Tysons Corner has already received a facelift at least once before, in the 2000s, losing its iconic black entrance with two Apple logos, which remains in use at just three stores: Tice's Corner, Southpoint, and Cherry Creek.

apple tysons corner black front

Apple Tysons Corner with its original storefront

Apple has been renovating dozens of its stores around the world since 2015, an initiative led by its design chief Jony Ive and retail chief Angela Ahrendts. The new look often includes wide, open spaces with sequoia wood tables and shelves, large 8K video screens for in-store events, and sometimes indoor trees.

Apple's website does not yet reflect any upcoming store closure at Tysons Corner.

Update: Upon review of further planning documents, it appears the renovations are limited to the store's break room.

Top Rated Comments

Klae17 Avatar
91 months ago
Really miss the guy. His energy, his presentation, and his vision were bar none.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lilrush Avatar
91 months ago
I miss this guy. I worked in the apple store under both him and Tim. I remember taking a moment of silence in store when he died, and collecting post it notes of messages from apple fans afterward. There was a giant change in Apple culture after Steve was gone. I can't really describe it but the energy was gone. It became like a used car dealership in terms of sneaky sales tactics, with management breathing down your neck to sell people apple care. Anyway, miss Steve and his vision.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ondert Avatar
91 months ago
Home user products on the right, "Pro" machines are on the left. Today we are abandoned with right side products only.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
91 months ago
Remember when Apple stores were cool?

They had so many different software and hardware options from 3rd party vendors. Now it's a barren wasteland of iPhone and iPad displays. The store near me has two iMacs and that's it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IPPlanMan Avatar
91 months ago
Watching that video... :(

You lived your dream Steve.

We miss you, but you’ll live on forever in our hearts as the founder of something truly great.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cjbriare Avatar
91 months ago
I never post here, had to reset my password and everything because I had to say that I for some reason remembered & thought of this video just last night while going through some old hardware. Crazy coincidence.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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