Check Out Apple's Beautiful Design for a New Retail Store Along the Chicago River [Images]

The Chicago Tribune has obtained details about Apple's planned store on Michigan Avenue along the Chicago River. The retail store will resemble a high-tech version of Frank Lloyd Wright's Midwestern Prairie Style homes.

Soon-to-be-unveiled plans for the store call for a glass-sheathed temple of computing near the historic Michigan Avenue bridge and grand flights of stairs that will cascade from street level to the walkway along the Chicago River's north bank. These details are outlined in a report from the city's Department of Planning and Development, a draft copy of which was obtained by the Tribune.

Apple's plan replaces a vacant food court at 401 N Michigan Ave with a 20,000 sq ft store that overlooks the river. The company is looking to begin construction on the store next year.


While the Zeller Realty Group, who owns 401 N Michigan Ave, is set to present the proposal on Thursday, it's just a formality because the planning department already approved it on Monday.

The entry pavilion for the store will be 14 feet high with an ultra-thin roof. It will measure nearly 91 feet by 71 feet and be reinforced by high-strength carbon-fiber. Apple says it will help "blur the line between interior and exterior space."

The store's glass walls will rise 32 feet about the riverwalk. Once customers enter they will use stairs or an elevator to go down to the sales floor.

Check out the store renders below. Hit the link for more details...


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