Apple make plans for new ‘prototype’ store in Palo Alto, CA

Apple Stores are pretty recognizable, whether they’re built from scratch, such as the recent Pudong, China store or designed to fit into their existing surrounds, such as the Covent Garden store in London.

But now we’ve caught word of a new prototype store appearing in Jobs’ hometown of Palo Alto, set to appear downtown at 340 University Avenue, around a block away from one of the earliest Apple retail stores, built a decade ago.

The city issued a permit on December 12th for a modern two-story building to occupy the 15,030 square-foot store space, with details like a glass frontage and roof to allow for natural light and a mix of materials, heavily dominated by steel and stone.

The plans detail a mezzanine at the rear for office space and a basement for storage. Palo Alto planning manager, Steven Turner, explains, “It’s a very unique building. The retail space within the building is very visible to pedestrians who are walking past.”

Documents pertaining to a $3.15 million project, filed earlier this year describe the structure as a ‘commons for (Apple’s) community to gather’ and as a ‘new prototype’, obviously referring to the new design direction. Award-winning architectural firm, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson are cited as the project applicants and have been responsible for much of the work on other Apple stores, worldwide.

Once this new outlet opens, it’s expected that the veteran store at 451 University Ave. will close its doors for good. Apple spokeswoman Amy Bessette told the Mercury News that the company is “planning a beautiful new store, building on everything we’ve learned from our customers in Palo Alto and around the world.”

Source | Via