Apple continues to attract visitors with its finely built shops that combine modern and classic architectural aspects. The smartphone brand is well-known for its distinctively designed retail locations, whether in the United States, Europe, or Asia.
Here is a list of some of the most attractive Apple stores from its 512 retail locations in 25 countries, which stand out for their visually pleasant characteristics and the blending of contemporary and classic aspects that is distinctive of the company.
Apple Tower Theater, Los Angeles, USA
Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment, the Apple Tower Theater had its grand opening on June 24, 2021.
Apple's design team worked with famous artists, preservationists, architects, and restoration professionals to repair and rename the 1920s Los Angeles Theater the Apple Tower Theater. Tower Theater, designed by acclaimed motion picture theater designer S Charles Lee in 1927, was the first movie theater in Los Angeles to play talking pictures. The design restores the unique clock tower and outside terracotta facades, improves the marquees and the Broadway Street elevation, and improves accessibility to ensure the building survives and serves the community for many years to come.
With a focus on '20s architectural details such as glass painted windows, red velvet carpet, massive chandeliers, Broadway marquee, monumental lobby inspired by Charles Garnier's Paris Opera house, grand stairway, bronzed handrails, and terracotta exteriors, the store features a fine balance of modern touches and original craftsmanship. The original theatrical balconies, as well as decorated arched bays, are preserved in the shop.
“At every corner, Los Angeles bursts with creativity across the arts, music, and entertainment, and we are thrilled to build on our relationship with this special city,” said Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People, in a press release. “Apple Tower Theatre honors the rich history and legacy of this entertainment capital.”
Address: 802 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Apple Fifth Avenue, New York, USA
Apple's Fifth Avenue Store, nicknamed the "cube," is the result of a tight cooperation between award-winning architect firm Foster + Partners and Apple's design team led by Jonathan Ive. This shop, one of eight in NYC, is an architectural marvel with a 32-foot self-supporting glass cube that reopened in 2019 following repairs.
It is the world's only Apple Store that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The store has three entrances, skylights or skylenses arranged in a grid on the cube's sides to flood natural light in and absorb solar energy, a stunning circular steel staircase that reflects the skyline and lights, and a grand hall beneath the plaza supported by a ceiling made of 3-D curved fabric to match the changing tones of lights throughout the day and night.
Address: 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153, United States
Regent Street Store, London, England
The Regent Street Store, located on one of West London's biggest retail districts, was renovated in 2016 to reflect the brand's new style and spirit. This multi-level store was a Grade II listed historical front (constructed in 1898), which has been restored and renovated in partnership with Foster + Partners, and incorporates Carrara marble, hand-cut Venetian smalti glass tiles, and a Portland stone exterior.
The shop has a boardroom for meetings with start-up and digital entrepreneurs, where they can get advice from Apple's team, a mezzanine where visitors can obtain help from Apple's geniuses, and a forum for dynamic customer experience. The shop also has the world's longest custom-made Luminous Ceiling Panels, which offer a rich and ambient experience while also absorbing noise.
Address: 235 Regent St., London W1B 2EL, United Kingdom
Apple Sanlitun Store, Beijing, China
This store is located in Sanlitun, a section of the capital city's Chaoyang district, in a huge open plaza. It is an iteration of China's first Apple shop, designed in conjunction with Apple by Foster + Partners. It is double the size and spread of the previous iteration and is fashioned in the shape of an envelope. To match the store's ethos of open, accessible, and inviting, the storefront boasts 10-metre-high glass panels that blur the line between the interior and the outside.
The key features include retail design upgrades such as a Viewing Gallery to provide a vantage point for outdoor space, a dedicated Boardroom for meetings with local entrepreneurs and businesses, a Forum to showcase Beijing's greatest creatives, and the first integrated solar roof array in a retail store in China to provide power to the store below.
Address: China, Beijing, Chaoyang, Sanlitun Rd, 19
Apple Piazza Liberty, Milan, Italy
The 8-meter glass fountain at the entrance to Apple Piazza Liberty in Milan welcomes guests and acts as a background to the huge outdoor amphitheatre. The glass rectangular entryway is the most remarkable aspect of this establishment, which is located just off the Corso Vittorio Emanuelein in the center of the city.
The design is the result of a cooperation between Apple's design team, directed by Jonathan Ive, and the architects at Foster + Partners. Walking into the fountain without getting wet recreates the immersive replication of child-like delight. The interiors are light and airy, with backlit ceiling panels that let in natural light and create the impression of a brilliant art gallery.
Address: Piazza del Liberty, 1, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Apple Opéra Store, Paris, France
The Apple Opéra Store in Paris has kept most of its original architectural features, such as wrought iron fences, marble flooring, columns that rise up to the ceilings, and a big spiral staircase in the center.
It is one of the most magnificent boutiques in the world and is located near the Opera Garnier. It is conveniently positioned near the well-known Pairs Opera and also features a bar on the second floor.
Address: 12 Rue Halévy, 75009 Paris, France
Apple Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Apple Marina Bay Sands is a spectacular urban spectacle that lies immediately on the waters of Marina Bay. It is the brand's third shop in Singapore. When it debuted in 2020, the store created a splash with its unusual glass dome construction that resembled a floating lantern.
It was created in partnership with prominent architects Foster + Partners and is housed within a self-sustaining floating sphere. The glass dome structure has 114 glass panels that were meticulously chosen and kept in place with structural support from 10 vertical mullions.
Sunshade rings on the glass dome control natural light and enable acoustic absorption of ambient noise to create a soothing ambience. The dome effect provides guests with a thrilling experience by providing 360-degree views of the city and reflecting light in the evening to accentuate the Singapore skyline.
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave, B2 - 06, Singapore 018972
Apple Store Dubai Mall, Dubai
The Apple Store at Dubai Mall features a 186-foot storefront with views of the Dubai Fountain. With its falcon-themed design, this store, which opened in 2017, reinvents the concept of a mall-based retail business.
The business features 'solar wings,' which are inspired by the action of a falcon opening its wings — a one-of-a-kind work of kinetic art and engineering. The solar wings are strengthened with 340 carbon fiber polymer rods and 18 panels that show shape and function while also providing a visually appealing theatrical experience.
The store has two levels and revolutionary solar wings that open at night to provide the greatest views of the water-side fountain and promenade.
Address: The Dubai Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Apple Central World, Bangkok, Thailand
Apple Central World in Bangkok, which opened in 2020, is the brand's second retail store and is located in one of the city's most prominent urban centers, the Ratchaprasong shopping area. The new store, which has a different design, was created in conjunction with Foster + Partners through two additional local firms, F&P and Architects 49 Ltd.
The store has an 80-foot glass cage with two floors connected by a spiral staircase supported by a Tree Canopy ceiling. The staircase is designed to loop around a central timber core composed of 1,461 European white oak profiles. The glass casing in the shape of a drum provides stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding metropolitan surroundings.
Address: 4 Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Apple Store, Shanghai, China
This is one of the most famous and impressive Apple stores, located in Shanghai's Pudong neighborhood. A large glass cylinder rises from the earth, with the main shop beneath it.
The shop, which has 16,000 square feet of space, was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architecture, who also created the iconic Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York.
Address: China, Shanghai, Pudong, Shiji Blvd, 8
