APPLE RENOVATING NY FIFTH AVE STORE; COST $6.7 MILLION

The iconic glass cube Apple Store located on Fifth Avenue in New York City is getting a makeover. The cube will be temporarily removed, which will be an interesting feat in itself. Taking the cube down and then putting it back up comes at no small cost and Apple will spend about $6.7 million on the renovations.

According to documents discovered at New York City’s Department of Buildings, Apple will remove the glass and “its sophisticated hardware.” It will also make improvements to the surrounding plaza and then “reinstall” the cube. There are currently plywood panels surrounding the cube and scaffolding will be added soon.

What we don’t know at the moment is why this is being done. Is there a fault with the existing cube that needs fixing? Or is Apple going to add something new or improved to it?

The 32-foot cube was completed in 2006 for a reported cost of $7 million. Steve Jobs is said to have designed the cube himself. Just to make sure no other stores copied Apple’s glass cube, Apple trademarked the design last year. In fact, the store’s lease says that if Apple decided to move, it would take the cube with it.

Perhaps the Fifth Ave. store is gearing up for some competition from an Apple store rumored to be opening in New York City’s Grand Central Station. The store is said to be the world’s largest Apple store, though we’re not sure that will be possible since the monstrous Covent Garden store in London covers 40,000 square feet in its two floors.

The Fifth Ave. store holds a special place in many people’s hearts. It’s one of the most photographed spots for tourists, according to Flickr’s geotagging data. Furthermore, the store is more than just a tourist attraction; a happy couple even got married in the Fifth Avenue street cube by a black-turtleneck-wearing wedding officiant who read off of an iPhone.

Though the store is the most popular of New York City’s four Apple Stores, it’s actually the smallest. However, that doesn’t stop it from selling more than the three other Apple Stores combined.

The construction is supposed to be completed by November of this year – just in time for the holiday shopping rush.