Santa Barbara Store Nears Final Approval

After at least one false start and months of speculation, the city of Santa Barbara (Calif.) is close to giving final approval to Apple’s proposal for a retail store at 928 State Street in the quaint beach city. The 9,421 square-foot space was formerly occupied by Pier 1, but will undergo an extensive renovation to convert it to an Apple store: the existing 9,300 square-foot mezzanine will be removed, a stairway and elevator will be removed, and then a new elevator tower and stairway will be installed. According to real estate listings, the monthly lease on the space is $3.25 per square-foot, or about $30,600 a month. Apple submitted its first architectural designs for the 1926-era building last December, and the city granted a preliminary design approval shortly after. The final review hearing was held earlier this month, and the city’s final decision could come any time. Apple scouted the city several years ago, reportedly picking another location on State Street before backing away from the deal. This new store could open by year’s end.