At Apple’s Latest Store, You Get Past Grand Water Steps To Reach Its Products
Image via Apple
Apple sees its floating retail store in Singapore and raises it one magnificent waterfront.
At the new Apple Al Maryah Island location in the financial heart of Abu Dhabi, visitors are greeted by cascading water steps overlooking and mirroring the facing sea.
The dramatic ascent on its two sides—constructed with ‘Absolute Black’ granite stone, a first for Apple architecture—leads to the raised retail store, which itself is crowned with a carbon fiber roof reminiscent of a gold MacBook lid, MacRumors points out.
Image via Apple
Past the steps, a stainless steel portal forms a seamless pathway into the store, “blurring the barrier between inside and out,” says the Cupertino tech giant. Its mirrored foil ceiling reflects the promenade’s water feature to create a kaleidoscopic view, and the water pouring down the walls soundtracks this grand entrance.
Image via Apple
Inside, standing from their elevated vantage point, guests can peer out into Abu Dhabi’s panoramic cityscape. The store’s glass walls welcome natural light, while ficus trees add a pop of green and cast elusive shadows on a ceiling wrapped in gold fabric.
Image via Apple
According to Apple, the location is outfitted with a special floor system and displacement ventilation to cool down the building amid Abu Dhabi’s warm climate.
Apple Al Maryah Island will open on Friday, February 25, at 5pm local time.
[via MacRumors and Apple Newsroom, images via Apple]
