Apple rumored to open first retail store in Berlin, new Castro St. San Francisco location

Two new reports today provide some intel on Apple’s future retail store plans. First, a report from SocketSite (via sfist.com), citing a “plugged-in tipster,” claimed Apple is eyeing an old Bank of America building at 400 Castro Street and the corner of Market for a new San Francisco retail store:

The word on the street is a 50% jump in rent was to blame for effectively chasing Diesel from their 400 Castro Street location at the corner of Market. And if a plugged-in tipster is correct, Apple has their sights set on the space with plans to develop the old Bank of America building into an iconic Apple Store which would be the fourth in San Francisco.

Apple also plans to open its first retail store in Berlin in the capital’s upscale shopping district known as Ku’Damm, according to a report from Bloomberg that cited “a person with knowledge of the plan.” We had first heard reports about Apple acquiring the location over a year ago, while job listings for the new location appeared in March.

@9to5mac Berlin is definitely in build. Opening should be in march.

— Dennis B. (@brennholzverlei) January 29, 2013

Bloomberg confirmed previous rumors today that the new Berlin store will indeed be located in a former movie theatre at Ku’damm 26:

Apple’s new store will be at a former movie theater at Ku’damm 26, across from the Hard Rock Cafe, the people said. The building has a facade resembling a Greek temple, in contrast to the modern structures that dominate Friedrichstrasse. Alan Hely, a London-based spokesman for the company, declined to comment on plans for a Berlin store.