Australian Apple stores have been a bit disappointing, really. After the massive glass facade of the George Street Sydney Store, Apple has been stuck opening stores in shopping centres around the country, all of which lack the over the top design that makes Apple stores so unique. But that could change very soon, with Jen Dudley at News telling us that the Cupertino company could be eyeing off the historic MacArthur Chambers in Brisbane as its next marquee store.
While there’s no official word that it was Apple who approached Brisbane City council with plans for a $10.5 million renovation for the building, Dudley points out that all the hallmarks of an Apple retail store are there:
Although Apple is not mentioned in the application, the planned renovations have all the signatures of its outlets, including twin glass doors, a “new colour scheme of shades of white”, illuminated interior signs, a stone floor and, tellingly, “new feature stairs”.
Should this actually be the work of the fruity company, it would make the building the largest Apple store in Australia at just under 2000 square metres.
Time will tell if both the application is accepted and if Apple is indeed hoping to spread its wild retail oats into BrisVegas, but it does look kind of promising for our Queenslander Apple fans.
[News]
Alex
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 3:44 PMIt certainly seems very Appleish!
I’m not a massive Apple fan although I do love my iPhone 4 and iPad 1 and this will certainly help me and everyone else in the city look/purchase Apple products.
I imagine they will get a lot of customers, especially businesses looking at iPhones and iPads.
Daniel
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 4:56 PMSomeone hasn’t ever seen the Perth Apple Store.
Standalone, Unique and not ‘stuck in a shopping centre’.
Steve
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 3:07 AMIt’s not the same thing. The Apple stores are tiered
1) Sydney, Shanghai, NYC which are the flagship stores. Multiple levels, genius bar, workshops, floor with specialists.
2) Below that are the standalone stores, but scaled down with fewer staff and services.
3) Shopping centre stores eg Chatswood/Robina etc.
4) Licensed resellers.
First part of specialist training, there are very few first tier stores and Sydney is the largest such in the Southern hemisphere last I checked.
Jeremy
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 5:08 PMThe Perth apple store is beautiful
Korra
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 5:48 PMThe one in Perth is amazingly spacious and extravagant. Lots of glass and its always packed with people.
andronicus
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:43 PMI know for me it is just so much easier to walk into the apple store on George St in Sydney and get help with ANYTHING apple. Especially free, quick, accurate tech advice. The staff in there are total pro’s and havent walked out disappointed….yet lol
mickk
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 12:00 AMWe’ll have one in Adelaide, thanks Apple
adrian
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 12:38 AMStick it in the Borders building
David
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 9:42 AMthe perth store is unique and a great addition to the west end
Nomet
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:28 AMConsidering at times you need to book over a week in advance to get a genius booking, this new store will be very welcome.