First look at huge Portland ‘glass box’ Apple Store

We already knew Apple was planning a pretty spectacular 165 ft.-wide glass storefront for its new Portland store, as we reported earlier this month. We told you the block-long storefront that consists of 22 glass panels would first need approval by the city’s design commission. At a recent commission meeting, the project’s architect answered questions from concerned city officials. Today, we get our first look at Apple’s proposed design courtesy of ifoAppleStore. The publication obtained the image above from the meeting, which shows a rendering of what the almost-all-glass Apple Store would look like. The store would be made almost entirely of glass apart from the “thin membrane roof edged with metal” that is “hovering over the space.” The report noted Apple is having some difficulties convincing the city of its design due to the company’s requests to remove surrounding street furniture. Moreover, the overall unconventional design is facing criticism from officials.

Apple described its project as, “Demolition of a portion of the existing 2-story retail store on this block to allow for a new single story building and outdoor plaza area. The new building and outdoor plaza area will comprise the northern 55’ of the block bound by SW Yamhill, Taylor, 4th and 5th. The new 17’-6” tall building is fully glazed with clear glass, with a 27’-6” tall stone wall adjacent to the existing building tower. The north elevation includes 3 sets of double entry doors.” The store would occupy the now vacant section of Pioneer Place once occupied by the Saks Fifth Avenue store.

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