Apple CEO Tim Cook Discusses Apple's Revamped Carnegie Library Store in Washington, D.C.

Apple is set to open a new retail store at the revamped Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 11, and ahead of the grand opening, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple retail leader Deirdre O'Brien did an interview with The Washington Post to discuss the new flagship location.

Work on the Carnegie Library Apple Store kicked off two years ago, and Apple has spent an estimated $30 million on the project. $7 million of that went towards facade restoration, $300,000 went to restoring the stair wells, and $2 million was spent on landscaping and site work. Apple is also paying $700,000 per year for the next 10 years to lease the space.

apple carnegie library
According to Cook, restoring Carnegie Library to its original design standards became the "most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world." Apple believes projects like this help showcase "Today at Apple" services and classes, though the company's aim is to get customers to further associate Apple with creativity.

"Our roots are in education and creativity," Cook said. "You think about where the company started from and Steve and the team at the time were very focused on providing people tools that allowed them to do incredible things."

"We've been serving the creative community as a company since the founding of the company, and the truth is everyone should be a part of the creative community," Cook added, "so this is our way to democratize it."

Like other remodeled Apple Stores, Carnegie Library will use the town square design with dedicated sections for the Genius Grove, Today at Apple sessions, and shopping for retail products. Buying something, says Cook is "probably one of the least done things" in an Apple retail location.

People come in to look at new products, and get help with the products that they already own. Apple sees its retail locations as communities rather than standard stores.

"We should probably come up with a name other than 'store,' " he said, "because it's more of a place for the community to use in a much broader way."

The Carnegie Library store will open at 10:00 a.m. local time on May 11, and Apple has six weeks of programs from local artists planned in celebration of the launch.

apple carnegie library opening
Apple will be sharing the space with the Historical Society of Washington D.C., which plans to open up a D.C. History Center.

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Top Rated Comments

LordVic Avatar
81 months ago


Whoever designed this poster should be shot out of a canon into space for their travesty against humanity for it's wanton abuse of fonts..
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apparatchik Avatar
81 months ago
the actual quote from the Wash Post is: the company’s “most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world.”
I think you misunderstood the post, Im pretty sure he is implying Apple will lease Notre Dame now that the price has gone down, and, with it, give it a little restoration.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paul4339 Avatar
81 months ago
I think Notre Dame will possibly beat it to become the most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world.
the actual quote from the Wash Post is: the company’s “most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world.”
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimthing Avatar
81 months ago
Too bad these old historic building are being used to pimp products instead of history
Well yeeeah, but there's a library attached to Carnegie, so grab a Mac, read a few historical docs, now write a book on said historical docs, using said Mac, get paid for writing said book. A win win, surely!

In case you haven't been to many historical libraries and museums recently, they all tend to have stores, cafes, restaurants in them – especially the latter, as ya know, people need to eat while they study/research/visit. There's also this funny stuff called money, they need to continue, like the rest of us.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kennyt72 Avatar
81 months ago

According to Cook, restoring Carnegie Library to its original design standards became the "most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world."
I think Notre Dame will possibly beat it to become the most historic, ambitious restoration by far, in the world.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxray Avatar
81 months ago
What do you know, another post with all negative comments. People on this website are so doom and gloom 24/7. It makes me wonder why I still visit.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)