The Covent Garden (London) store will hold its grand opening on Saturday, August 7th at 10 a.m., revealing the largest and most expensive store in Apple’s chain, and arguably the chain’s most amazing interior. The store occupies an 1870s building that has been restored and renovated, while retaining most of the original architecture and interior design features. It includes stone from a quarry in Wales, a spiral glass staircase and the usual wood display tables. The retail space will occupy parts of three levels, while Apple corporate offices will occupy the upper floors. The building faces onto one of London’s most impressive and busy squares, with a mix of tourists, locals, street vendors and entertainers. It’s the fourth Apple store in the city, and is about one mile from the existing Regent Street store.
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It’s actually the fifth Apple Store in London – the other four being Regent Street, White City, Brent Cross, and Kingston.
Also, Bluewater is only *just* outside the boundary, so you could argue its the sixth!
Thanks. Based on Apple’s store listings, it appears to be #4.
Kingston’s a bit of a borderline case though. While it’s within the confines of Greater London, ask any Kingstonian where Kingston is and they’ll say ‘Surrey’!
If one can get there with one’s Oyster card, I say its in London :)
My definition of London would be based on whether it has a ‘London’ postcode, so Kingston in KT2 would not count as London. (London postcodes are E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, WC, W.)
Based on this Bluewater (DA9) and Lakeside (RM20) also don’t count as London.
I’ve just managed to get a good look inside (someone left the door in the hoarding open), sadly not long enough to get a photo, but it looks stunning!
It has a solid glass front, behind the pillars that are outside the building (here’s an external shot before work started:http://29.media.tumblr.com/m1pXgoTTRk91sn8kzwG8XuKlo1_400.jpg), and the interior features a large amount of exposed brickwork (shot: http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1272652180.usr105634.jpg), although Apple has cleaned the brickwork and made it slightly darker (more like st pancras, but newer).
I’ll see if I can get a picture on the way home later!
So i happened to pass by tonight and all the scaffold is being taken down quite simply….this store looks….AMAZING!!! everything is set up inside i got a look in the 3 plain windows on the James street side the wall graphics look great against the traditional London yellow brick inside!! I caught a glimpse of lots of flat screen monitors on the wall on the 1st floor/mezz level i THINK they said Genius but i cant remember now.
The old Bedford entrance and stairs has completely gone and i think its been moved to the James street side but i cant remember what it used to look like as its been so damn long!! The store is really going to stand out at night it was lit so brightly i cant wait to have a real look around inside!! They were in the process of putting stantions out along the entire shop front under the arches and a few people inside were wiping down the tables but all the macs were switched on and running it looks like its good to go, will try and get a pic but as it opens on Sat i may just wait.
Get a pic man if you can!
Pat
CANADA
Ok so I just found these pics online wasnt sure about copying them so here is the link…
http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/08/04/exclusive-first-shots-of-apple-covent-garden-store/img_0089/
Thanks. It looks awesome.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/34751/photos-inside-apples-best-store
Here is some great shots of the interior.
Found these online
http://macformat.techradar.com/blog/apple-store-covent-garden-virtual-tour-05-08-10
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