A planning application to refresh the design of Apple’s Regent Street store in London describes the current look as “tired and outdated” as it joins the queue to see a major redesign. This is expected to be broadly in line with the new look first seen in Brussels when it opened two weeks ago, overseen by Jony Ive in his new role as Apple’s Chief Design Officer.
The status of the building as ‘listed’ (historically protected) will limit the exterior changes the company is allowed to make, but the four Apple logos in the windows will be removed to allow in more light, reports the Evening Standard.
The brief looked to re-imagine the overall customer experience within the store and address a tired and outdated interior sales area […] Part of the proposed works is also removing the four Apple Logos from the Regent Street facade. This assists with natural light penetrating the retail floor and preserves the historic character of the facade.
The upper floor will be set back from the front of the building, to allow more light into the ground floor. The existing glass staircase will also be removed and replaced with ““two new dramatic staircases,” which we assume to be the spiral designs seen in many Apple Stores. The store first opened in 2004, and has seen only limited interior refreshes since then.
As with the Brussels store, the redesign will be carried out by Foster & Partners, the architects behind London’s famous Gherkin building. It’s not known when the work will be completed, the planning approval being valid for up to three years.
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The Regent street store is already in the process of being revamped as the whole top floor is out of action with small signs up apologising for the store while its altered.
That’s right, it’s quite an omission on the article. I recently visited and the open area is minimal
I wish ifoapplestore was up again
It’s wonderful that Apple cares more about Europe and China. It must be much more fashionable than midwest Nebraska, but as one who goes to the Omaha store often, it matters not which day or hour it’s a very crowded place. So crowded that maybe Omaha deserves another store maybe with the “iconic” glass stair cases. Just saying.
I hope they sort out a bigger store for Southampton very soon. It’s like a shoe box.