Although the cube design at Apple's Fifth Avenue flagship store is one of the world's most photographed landmarks, the attention of New Yorkers will be firmly fixed on the company's newest Grand Central Terminal location opening this Friday. Apple lifted the wraps off on Wednesday for an invitation only media preview to some 3 dozen reporters.
The 23,000-square-foot retail space is one of the world's largest Apple stores and only the fifth to open in New York City. It includes 45 display tables, 3 walls of accessories, 2 Genius Bars, free Wi-Fi and 315 full and part-time employees. The unique destination located at 45 Grand Central Terminal, is nearly the size of two London stores combined.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who owns the space, anticipates the lure of Apple's iconic brand to draw increased foot traffic to other businesses in the terminal which is visited by about 750,000 travelers and tourists daily. That number grows to more than 1 million per day during the holidays, according to the terminal's official website.
Apple intends to accommodate business travelers with on-peak operating hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Weekend hours will be Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They'll also remain open for last minute shoppers on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The doors to Apple's new ultra-cool flagship store will officially open on Friday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m. The grand opening event is expected to draw a huge crowd, so plan ahead if you're using the terminal for business travel on Friday.
[photo via Talknerdytome and video via Philip Elmer De-Witt]
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