Report: Fifth Avenue Apple Store Getting a Makeover

Leslie Horn - PC Magazine

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is reportedly getting a facelift that will involve the temporary removal of the iconic glass cube at flagship New York City location's entrance.

Apple Store watching blog ifoAppleStore uncovered documents from New York City's Department of Buildings that revealed Apple will spend about $6.7 million to completely "remove the glass and its sophisticated hardware, make upgrades to the surrounding plaza structure, and then 'reinstall' the cube."

IfoAppleStore also reported that workers showed up Wednesday night to construct plywood panels around the plaza surrounding the cube and scaffolding will be added in the next few days. Apple seems to be rather protective of its signature glass cube; it trademarked the design last year, ifoAppleStore noted.

Although the Fifth Avenue Apple Store is the smallest of Apple's four retail locations, it sells more than all three other NYC Apple Stores combined. Open 24-hours-a-day, it's also the busiest location in the Big Apple. In fact, it's also been found to be a tourist attraction. One researcher recently found Apple's glass cube to be one of the most-photographed locations in the Big Apple based on geotagged data from Flickr. It's unclear why Apple would opt to renovate this store.

There are rumors that Apple is planning another New York City Store, reportedly eyeing a space in Grand Central Terminal.

Apple recently carried out an across-the-board overhaul of most of its brick-and-mortar stores just after the tenth anniversary of the opening of its first two locations. The upgrade, internally dubbed "Apple Store 2.0" replaced paper signage in stores with interactive iPads next to most products.

The Fifth Avenue renovation could be completed by the beginning of November.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Apple exec Ron Johnson, known for creating the "Genius Bar," is leaving Cupertino to become the chief executive officer at J.C. Penney.

For a glimpse at what Johnson has been working on for the past 11 years, see Six Apple Stores to Visit Before You Die .