Passenger Trains > Apple coming to Grand Central Terminal

Apple signs 10 year deal for massive Grand Central Terminal retail store

By Daniel Eran Dilger
Published: 06:45 PM EST


Apple has signed a ten year deal with New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority to open the largest Apple Store yet within Grand Central Terminal.

Originally rumored in February to be a 16,000 square foot store in the iconic rail station, Apple's retail push was said to be scrapped in March, then revived in May as a 15,230 square foot store.

In July, plans for the store were reported to be nearing approval, and today the New York Post reported that the deal is now signed.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/07/23/apple_signs_10_year_deal_for_massive_grand_central_terminal_retail_store.html

OCV

I hope they don't f*** it up historically or architecturally

How many computers and iphones can you put in 15,000+ sq. ft?

Will this be a real Apple store at the real Grand Central Terminal, or a Chinese fake at the fake Chinese Grand Central Terminal?

ats90mph Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hope they don't f*** it up historically or
> architecturally


This talks about what's there now, and the highlighted section of the report would appear to address the preservation angle, though obviously I can't speak to specifics about Apple's store design:

Apple will pay the MTA $800,000 in rent annually for the station's north and northwest balconies, nearly three times as much rent as Charlie Palmer's Metrazur restaurant was paying. In ten years, Apple's rent will go up to a million dollars annually.

Apple's deal with the MTA is reportedly set for a financial committee approval on Monday, and if it passes as expected the MTA's board of directors will cast a final approval vote on Wednesday. The MTA said in a statement that the new Apple Store "has the potential to bring a great new shopping destination to iconic Grand Central Terminal and significantly increase revenues for the MTA's transportation system."

Apple will be paying to refurbish the space, and must work with New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission to get any changes to the interior of the city landmark approved.

toledopatch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ats90mph Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I hope they don't f*** it up historically or
> > architecturally
>
>
> This talks about what's there now, and the
> highlighted section of the report would appear to
> address the preservation angle, though obviously I
> can't speak to specifics about Apple's store
> design:
>
> Apple will pay the MTA $800,000 in rent annually
> for the station's north and northwest balconies,
> nearly three times as much rent as Charlie
> Palmer's Metrazur restaurant was paying. In ten
> years, Apple's rent will go up to a million
> dollars annually.
>
> Apple's deal with the MTA is reportedly set for a
> financial committee approval on Monday, and if it
> passes as expected the MTA's board of directors
> will cast a final approval vote on Wednesday. The
> MTA said in a statement that the new Apple Store
> "has the potential to bring a great new shopping
> destination to iconic Grand Central Terminal and
> significantly increase revenues for the MTA's
> transportation system."
>
> Apple will be paying to refurbish the space, and
> must work with New York's Landmarks Preservation
> Commission to get any changes to the interior of
> the city landmark approved.


The NY Times had an article on this last week. Many small merchants are being forced out in favor of the larger and deeper pocketed chains. The owner operated bakery is being replaced by a branch of Magnolia Bakery, etc.

The MTA opens bids every five years, and existing merchants have no prior "rights" to renew first. Because Apple was willing to (over)pay so much for the space, and accept a guaranteed rate increase, they got a longer term.

Store rents and commuter parking fees are a big part of the transportation funding mix in NJ NY CT

Charlie Palmer's Metrazur is on the east balcony, the one with the staircase from the concourse that was built in the big restoration and renovation project about a decade ago.

Is Apple actually going onto the north balcony (part of which is occupied by Michael Jordan Steakhouse? How will access be accomplished? From top of escalator to Met Life (nee Pan Am) or via the Metrazur and or M. Jordan spaces? These are both open (no ceiling other than the Terminal's star chart). I hope Apple is not planning enclosed spaces (there was a Merril Lynch free standing structure on the floor of the concourse in the '60s or '70s- like a little building.

At this time the interior of GCT (along with the building itself) is protected by NY City Landmarks Preservation law which should hopefully count for something.

swirsk53 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Charlie Palmer's Metrazur is on the east balcony,
> the one with the staircase from the concourse that
> was built in the big restoration and renovation
> project about a decade ago.
>
> Is Apple actually going onto the north balcony
> (part of which is occupied by Michael Jordan
> Steakhouse? How will access be accomplished? From
> top of escalator to Met Life (nee Pan Am) or via
> the Metrazur and or M. Jordan spaces? These are
> both open (no ceiling other than the Terminal's
> star chart). I hope Apple is not planning enclosed
> spaces (there was a Merril Lynch free standing
> structure on the floor of the concourse in the
> '60s or '70s- like a little building.
>
> At this time the interior of GCT (along with the
> building itself) is protected by NY City Landmarks
> Preservation law which should hopefully count for
> something.


Metrzur restaurant closed back in the Spring. My understanding is Apple is taking that space, and will have access to the elevators as well as the east side grand stairway.

swirsk53 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>> At this time the interior of GCT (along with the
> building itself) is protected by NY City Landmarks
> Preservation law which should hopefully count for
> something.


I hope so. The MTA removed the Merrill Lynch kiosk and KODAK billboard years ago before the big restoration as part of restoring the terminal to original appearance. To enclose the north Balcony would definitely not be in keeping with this. Then again look at all the restaurants and take outs occupying floor space on the Lower Level. It is interesting to note that in non protected areas like the the added North End Access passageways vending machines and shoe shine stands that obstruct the passageways and stand out like sore thumbs were added in the last 3 years to increase terminal revenue.

These methods of increasing revenue are what caused New York Central to allow the ML kiosk and Kodak billboard decades ago.

How long before Apple offers a clock app for the iPhone that looks just like the iconic clock in Grand Central Terminal?

chakk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How long before Apple offers a clock app for the
> iPhone that looks just like the iconic clock in
> Grand Central Terminal?


<standing there looking at my non iphone with a thumbs up> GOT IT !!!!!!!!!!

chakk wrote

"How long before Apple offers a clock app for the iPhone that looks just like the iconic clock in Grand Central Terminal?"

It sounds like an app that could make make some money for a Trainorders member.

Let the app development begin!

OCV -- Waiting for the iPhone5



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/11 16:51 by CharlesVarnes.