Close on the heels of plans for the first-ever Apple Store in Seoul, South Korea, Apple is all set to embark on building an underground retail store in the historic Liberty Square in Milan.
For the unfamiliar, Piazza del Liberty – popularly called the Liberty Square – is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in Italy. The city’s planning department has approved of the construction last month based on the preliminary guidelines. At present, Apple is operating from the Fiordaliso mall.
The new retail store from Apple will also involve construction of an outdoor amphitheater and spectacular waterfall features per reports.
Retail Store Plans
Foster and Partners, a well-established and renowned construction firm has partnered with Apple for several projects pertaining to building retail stores around the world. The construction company has recently worked on Apple’s upcoming Campus 2 headquarters in Cupertino, California.
Sources reveal that Apple has been eyeing the historic site for a while now for its retail outlet. This location is expected to be innovative and technologically vibrant. The architects have drawn a plan to include an above-ground amphitheater where Apple plans to host public events of cultural significance.
Pierfrancesco Maran, the city planning official calls it “ambitious and truly international.”
Even though Milan is popular as a trade center, this region offers a rich ambience of cultural aesthetics, which Apple would be hoping translates into its store so that people coming over to the Apple Store can have a wonderful experience.
Amphitheater And More
The whole plan of amalgamating leisure, entertainment and technology is one of the unique ideas that Apple has come up with this time. Even as it continues to revamp the designs of the iPhone line, Apple is poised to make it a worthwhile experience for all customers who shall come to its store in Milan.
Keeping the customers’ comfort as its major priority, an elevator shall be provided at the plaza to ensure easy accessibility to the store. The amphitheater will be placed at the heart of the square with broad terraced steps leading to a level intermediary between the square and the underlying store.
There shall be a glass screen which will sport the reflection of the water features encapsulating the square. The glass waterfall with water bowls anchors one end of the amphitheater. This appealing view will mark the entrance which will add to the visual pleasure of the onlooker.
How Much Will The Store Cost Apple?
Apart from investing on the architecture and design layout, the owners likely have to make a one-time payment to the city – an amount of 768,732 euros (approximately $815278.72) to offset the cost estimation that the authorities had incurred while renovating this location. In addition to this, Apple shall be paying an annual fee of a whopping of 127,435 euros (approximately $135172.22).
When Will The Store Open?
Currently, the location is occupied by the Apollo Spazio Cinema and Apple waits patiently for its upcoming project to take shape. Having confirmed the news about constructing the retail store, Apple has not divulged any details on the proposed Apple Store’s opening date.
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