Scottsdale Quarter Retail Store

Among all the 260-plus stores in the Apple chain, there is one that has a unique architecture and setting--a huge, boxey building along Scottsdale Blvd. in that Arizona city. The store opened in June 2009, virtually the first business to open in the development of a large outdoor shopping center directly across the street from an existing, mature center.

The store's unique elements are many: the large size, the tall ceiling, the enormous glass panels on both ends that allow a see-through view, the electric window shades to dim the westernly sun, and the "early arrival" location.

Driving by from either direction on the six-lane roadway, the store isn't that impressive. One sees the store window and relatively thin stainless steel trim around it. But the size and scale of the store isn't that apparent as you drive by.

On the other hand, if you approach from the north, you do see the large, 120-foot by 30-foot northern side of the building, made entirely of eight tons of stainless steel panels. Profiled against the panels are eight tall palm trees--more than the developer originally planned for the space, and probably purchased by Apple.

However, the impressive nature of the store only comes when you arrive at the front door on the east end of the structure, or walk past the "picture window" on the west side. Then it becomes obvious how tall, wide and deep the store really is, and how much material it took to construct.

You'll also notice the texture, shadows and highlights of the store, both inside and out, that change with the time of day and season, all because the rays of the sun play strong on the store--so much window glass and stainless steel.

At the front door, you're looking at over 1,500 square-feet of glass, most of it towering over your head. Only a rim of stainless steel shows from this vantage point. Once inside, you'll quickly notice the ceiling way above you, pierced by a skylight running east-west. The side walls are very far apart, and the wall shelving seems to go all the way to the 30-foot ceiling. At your feet, there's nearly 5,500 square-feet of Apple's trademark stone flooring.

Your attention is then drawn to the far end of the building, which is one big window. In the morning, the sun is at your back, shining onto the far end. At a typical noon, indirect light evenly pours into the space. In the afternoon, the white, net-like windows shades are electrically lowered from concealed spaces in the ceiling to tone down the direct sun. And at night, the two ends of the store are like school blackboards, focusing your attention back into the space.

Walking towards the center of the store, one is struck by the amount of open space within the wall. There is plenty of room between the tables, and there is a quartet of training tables at the back of the store, more than at a usual store. Along the side walls are the standard stainless steel walls--two tons of steel are surrounding you. There is even room for two Genius Bars, one on the left and another on the right at the back of the store.

The product shelving towers to 10 feet, making the highest products impossible to reach, but creating an impressive display.

The back-of-house space is tucked away in a space next door to the main structure, accessible from a door just beyond the left Genius Bar. It's a brilliant solution that allowed the architects to maintain total symmetry for the store and allow totally unobstructed views out the two ends.

For now, the store sits nearly alone among construction on other buildings in the development--cranes and workers toil directly across from the front door during the day. Once the work is done, the views and angles of the store will only improve.

Is this a high-profile store store? Officially…no. But that's probably because of its location, and not its architecture. That's why this is among Apple's hidden gems. If you're ever in the Phoenix area, put it on your "must see" list.

Check this extensive gallery of store exterior photos, taken in summer (August), during the morning, evening and night.

Check these panoramic photos of the store: exterior #1 / exterior #2 / exterior #3 / interior #1 / interior #2 / interior #3

As a point of comparison, the inside of the store is so large that it could store two F/A-18C Hornet jet fighters--albeit these are more compact aircarft normally used by the Navy and Marines on aircraft carriers. The store is just slightly narrower than a regulation NBA basketball court.

Download (pdf) the architectural plans and elevations for the store to see more information about the size, layout and location of the store.