On the way to 25 retail stores in China by the end of 2012, real estate sources say Apple will install a store inside the new Henderson Metropolitan building on Nanjing East Road, a section of the city’s main shopping street. The distinctively-designed 22-story building is now in the final phase of construction and could open later this year. The lower five levels of the building will contain retail space, with offices on the upper floors. A subway station within the new building will allow access to two major rail lines that intersect beneath the building. The future store will be east and somewhat beyond the main shopping district, Nanjing West Road, a pedestrian-only area whose buildings date to the 1920s. However, in recent years development along East Road has extended the original shopping district all the way to The Bund, a wide avenue of historic buildings along the Huangpu River that is a major tourist attraction. According to real estate sources, Nanjing East Road retail rents are about $288 per square-foot annually, much less than prime locations in many other major cities, and about 35 percent less than rents along Nanjing West Road. Apple opened its first Shanghai store last July, and a second store is under construction at Hong Kong Plaza on Huang Huai Road.
The lower five floors of the building, designed by noted architectural firm Tange Associates (Japan), will be occupied by retail space.
Nanjing West Road, about 3 block west of the future Apple store location.
Nanjing West Road
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Not a bad spot, though in the heart of Nanjing West Road would be better, though I can imagine finding a retail space large enough could be very hard.
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