Almost one year after turning down Apple’s request to build a upsized replacement for the Lincoln Road retail store, the Miami Beach (Fla.) Historic Preservation Board has approved plans for an all-glass Gap store at the same location. The difference, according to to city officials, is that the Gap proposal preserved more of the existing historic 1923 building, while Apple’s design was a complete replacement. The Lincoln Road Apple store opened in July 2006, and has one of the most iconic storefronts in the chain. However, the store is small and almost always overwhelmed with locals and tourists. As noted by the Miami Herald, Apple’s plan was to entirely demolish the existing building, which the architect’s argued had been modified so many times that almost nothing was architecturally significant. The Apple proposal included a huge glass curtain wall, stone sidewalls and a arched glass roof. That design originated with the Upper West Side (NYC) store, and will be used on the future Palo Alto 2 (N. Calif.) and Third Street Promenade 2 (S. Calif.) stores. But the city’s planning agencies disagreed with Apple’s assessment of the building’s significance, and denied a permit. Apple decided not to present any alternative designs, and the matter was settled—no Apple store. Then last June 12th architects for the Gap presented a proposal that maintains the buildings general outline, but which ironically includes a modern, two-level, glass storefront and glass stairway. The Historic Preservation Board approved the plans at its meeting. Back at the Lincoln Road Apple store, overcrowding continues, but it’s not known if Apple has any plans to move or enlarge the store to accommodate the crowds.
This rendering by Apple’s architects shows the original 2011 proposal for the Lincoln Road 2 store. The city denied the permit for aesthetic reasons.
This rendering shows the Gap store propose that the city approved at its June 12, 2012 meeting. It also features a glass storefront and interior stairway.
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So, a city in all it’s wisdom declines iconic architecture and huge tax dollars for a same-O, same-O milk toast architecture and average tax dollars. Your tax dollars at work…
I think it’s time for Apple to tell the city well then we are taking our business elsewhere…and then see way the City of Miami Beach does.
Build a new one just outside of the city limits of Miami Beach. That kind of nonsense is just stupid.
Funny, as those Gap employees will all eventually be management at Apple retail.
Hopefully Apple retail has learned their lesson regarding Gap employees. Hiring managers from a bean counter mentality does nothing for the Apple culture or for keeping valuable employees happy. The Gap managers in our store are nothing but people drivers that could care less about the thrill of Apple and it’s products. Their just selling a commodity and the employees are just sales people to be pressured, that’s NOT the Apple culture. I’m sure there are plenty of ex-Gap managers that are good but the ones I have met have been driven by the typical retail mentality of forced sales. The darn things sell themselves and since Apple is only as good as it’s employees then they should be encouraged with positive intent….
Well, except for… you know who you are!
Oops, they’re
I currently work at this GAP location and Can not wait for the remodel. It’s going to be an amazing store. Apple won’t leave Miami Beach. and if they do, no one will care. ;0)
Unless you’re collecting the sales tax off one of the highest gross/square foot stores in the world…
I currently work at this GAP location and Can not wait for the remodel. It’s going to be an amazing store. Apple won’t leave Miami Beach. and if they do, no one will care. ;0)
does anyone know if apple is moving from its south beach location?
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