Apple Chicago flagship store history

[smacrumon]

I'm interested in learning more about the Apple Chicago flagship store history.

1 -- Does anyone know what the area was exactly before the Apple Chicago flagship store was built? I seem to have heard it was an abandoned car park or it was an old shopping centre that was pulled down. I've tried to verify this looking at Google maps but can't seem to find anything.

2 -- Also, how did Apple come to claim that part of Chicago for its store? Did it go through a public process with the local authorities and people?

3 -- Finally, why did Apple decide to open a flagship store there exactly? Why not just a regular Apple store?

Thanks for all the assistance on the historical aspects. It would be great if there was a wiki created for this kind of interesting detail.

 

[AidenShaw]

I'm interested in learning more about the Apple Chicago flagship store history.

1 -- Does anyone know what the area was exactly before the Apple Chicago flagship store was built? I seem to have heard it was an abandoned car park or it was an old shopping centre that was pulled down. I've tried to verify this looking at Google maps but can't seem to find anything.

2 -- Also, how did Apple come to claim that part of Chicago for its store? Did it go through a public process with the local authorities and people?

3 -- Finally, why did Apple decide to open a flagship store there exactly? Why not just a regular Apple store?

Thanks for all the assistance on the historical aspects. It would be great if there was a wiki created for this kind of interesting detail.

Google Earth's history shows that it was a pedestrian plaza at least as far back as 2000.

 

[smacrumon]

Google Earth's history shows that it was a pedestrian plaza at least as far back as 2000.

View attachment 753478

Thank you!

 

[AidenShaw]

Thank you!

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equitable_Building_(Chicago) The pedestrian plaza dates from around 1965.