Following a multi-million pound refit, Apple is opening the doors to its highly-anticipated, new look Regent Street flagship on 15th October at 10am.
Celebrated as the first ever Apple store in Europe when it opened on Regent Street back in 2004, once again all eyes are the new 11,000 sq ft store, as it’s the first in Europe to roll out the incredible new retail design concept by Jonathan Ive, chief design officer in partnership with Foster + Partners.
Inside has been completely transformed to become a spacious, chic new social hub for shoppers, with a focus on ‘community’ and ‘entertainment’. The result is a true technopolis - whether you’re looking for the latest Apple products, the help of their in-store experts, or simply somewhere to relax and immerse yourself in the much-loved brand.
The neutral, minimal space brings a touch of the outdoors inside. Whilst still home to the familiar light-oak tables, displaying Apple’s vast collection of Macbooks, iMacs, iPhones, Apple watches and more, the new store is lined with an “avenue” of soaring, leafy trees adding a touch of tranquil to the buzzing digital hub below.
For the first time, many of the products on display will also be untethered, so you will be free to roam with the products and experience them as you would at home.
Continuing the al fresco theme, discover a living wall of flora in amongst interactive themed windows, showcasing more of Apple’s products and services. Each will be monitored by another new addition - Creative Pros. Not your average Apple Geniuses, Creative Pros will be on hand to offer advice and answers on Apple’s software and services from photography, gaming to music.
Excited? Well, there’s more. At the back of the store lies ‘The Forum’, a super cool, open events space for up to 75 people, overlooked by an enormous TV screen. Here you can enjoy exclusive premieres of new music and videos from iTunes, as well as ‘making-of’ films giving you a behind-the-scenes look at production.
Plus there will be an array of live acoustic music performances and creative workshops held here, from sketch classes, expert talks to ‘photo walks’, where you can learn how to capture incredible photography using your Apple products. For more information on these click here.
Finally, surrounding The Forum are two smooth, swooping, twin stone staircases, leading you up to the new mezzanine level - that’s right - no more glass staircase. Ascend the staircases to discover The Mezzanine. This is home to a more intimate space known as The Boardroom, offering everything from advice and training to entrepreneurs and business customers.
More importantly, there’s impressive 360 views of the stunning new store from up here too, truly a sight to behold. There will be queues, but it’s worth the wait – Apple has once again created a masterpiece in design, that’s sure to delight fans and newbies alike.
Visit Apple at 235 Regent Street, W1B 2EL from 10am, 15th October 2016.
More information on opening times visit the store directory page here or visit apple.com
All images with thanks to: appleinsider.com and Nigel Young, Foster + Partners.