Apple to open gorgeous new San Francisco retail store in Union Square

Update: AllThingsD got its hands on some better images (above) and a statement from Apple on the new store (below):

“We’re thrilled to be working with the city of San Francisco on a new Apple retail store at Union Square…. Our store on Stockton Street has welcomed over 13 million customers since it opened nine years ago, and we look forward to serving them in an amazing new location when this project is complete.”

San Francisco Chronicle reports today that Apple has now submitted plans to open a new store in San Francisco’s Union Square. The new location would apparently replace Apple’s old retail location just a few streets away at Stockton and Ellis.

The new building is said to give Apple around 45% more space than its old San Fran retail location and will apparently occupy a building formerly home to Levi’s in Union Square at Stockton and Post Streets.

Apple thinks it will add about 50 jobs on top of the 350 it employees at its current Stockton street location:

Apple claims the move to the new location will mean an increase of about 50 jobs over the 350 the current location has employed. “We’re thrilled to be working with the City of San Francisco,” read a statement from the Cupertino tech giant.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said his office is working with Apple to find more “green measures” and “energy efficiencies” for the new location. Lee also said he hoped the new location would become the “Bay Area hub” for Apple shopping and customer service inquiries.

Judging by the render above, it appears Apple will go with a slightly new design for the new location that features two stories of retail floor space. There is no word yet on when Apple plans to move into Union Square.