Fifth Ave Apple Store's Glass Cube Complete (VIDEO)

Apple's flagship retail store in New York City has never looked better.

On Friday, the iconic cube outside the Fifth Avenue Apple store was reopened after a nearly five-month refurbishment, during which time the entire structure was removed and rebuilt.

Perhaps the most noticeable new features are the 15 large glass panels, which replaced the 90 smaller glass panes that previously framed the old cube. According to the Gothamist, Apple also installed new pavers and replaced the water drains around the structure.

The whole project is said to have set Apple back over $6.6 million, ifoAppleStore.com reports.

The renovation started in June, when Apple began deconstructing the huge glass cube facade that marks the entrance to the store, which is the fifth most-photographed landmark in New York, according to a study of Flickr photos by Cornell University

Check out a video from the November 4 unveiling of the new and improved cube (below). Scroll down to see a photo of what the cube looked like before the renovation.

WATCH: Fifth Ave Apple Store Cube On November 4, 2011: [via MacRumors]

LOOK: Fifth Apple Store Cube On April 3, 2010:

Comments

[GirlInNYC]

11:31 PM on 11/07/2011

Looks better. And to those complaining about the costs, get a Zune and a plastic knock-off called Droid. Haters. It's easy to buy popular Apple electronics then sell them quickly when the new versions come out. But you have to be on top of the timing. When you are, you'll be able to get the latest offset by your sell of your prior one. I just got a check last week for my iPhone 4 that offset the cost of my 4S. It means keeping your phone in great condition (get a case) and locking in a price with a place like Gazelle BEFORE the new phone (or device) is released -- preferably when it's up for pre-orders. Then make sure you get the new one within 30 days, send your old one in (or sell it by whatever means but before the market is flooded) and you're good. Now stop judging people who have 'expensive electronics' and get your's.

[Patrick Mulder]

01:40 PM on 11/07/2011

Thanks for using my YouTube video! I posted another movie on my blog at http://patjem.nl/new-york-en-heropening-apple-store-op-5th-ave

[Whogivesafox]

01:06 PM on 11/06/2011

More of a place to go to watch a thousand people mill about aimlessly than a place to go buy something. I wonder why they insist on calling it a "store"?

[LLNYRN]

03:57 PM on 11/06/2011

Considering the expense of many APPLE products
And New York's 8.875% Sales Tax on top of that,
I'd just "mill about" too.

It's the MAIN reason why I haven't purchased much in the way of high-end electronics when I moved back to New York from Oregon, which has no sales tax.

[riverhouse]

12:21 PM on 11/06/2011

It is truly fabulous and so NYC.

[Pamela Lewis]

11:08 AM on 11/06/2011

Not sure why they consider that the flagship store. It's the worst one in the city.

[brandon20678]

10:38 AM on 11/06/2011

I always thought it's dangerous to have stores underground what if something happens how do people get out?

[BlifCar]

11:48 AM on 11/06/2011

As opposed to the extreme safety of being on the 34th floor when something happens?

[stupid humans]

06:36 PM on 11/07/2011

you thought?.....next time try finishing the thought....

[intellectualTradition]

10:19 PM on 11/05/2011

all those slavish lefties looking for their own temple. how sad for them that apple as it is now, won't be around in another 3-5 years. except the patents, they are finished

[Peter Phan]

03:33 AM on 11/06/2011

LOL. Sure, pal. Meanwhile, Apple still owns the tablet market while other tablets still struggle to find buyers. And Apple still tops cell phone profits. And Apple stores still are packed with customers. And Apple has more money on hand than the US gov't! Yeah, this is definitely a company that won't be around in another 3-5 years. You are truly a genius. Not.

[intellectualTradition]

08:26 AM on 11/06/2011

ironic that the slimey hypocritical left never has a problem with the billions made by entertainment industry or apple, eh ?

in any event, like air america, apple will go away.....it's only a matter of time.

[blurredmolly]

07:49 AM on 11/06/2011

jealous of others successes, and a CONseravative at that. interesting.

[fumes]

09:11 PM on 11/05/2011

is it..

earthquake-proof?

[Bolkonsky]

02:27 PM on 11/05/2011

i wonder where the big glass slabs are manufactured ?

Srsly - anyone know ?

[Charismatron]

10:28 PM on 11/05/2011

Isaacson's biography of Jobs goes into some details concerning how Apple had to design and produce many of its own building supplies. The details are floating around in there in a couple of chapters--but I am not up to the task of finding them for you. Sorry about that--but now you know where to look!

[AbstractionAction]

11:35 PM on 11/05/2011

Lol I'm sure that is talking about the business in the 80s. Go do real research (not just read a padded book) on where iPhones are made.

[NHBill]

02:45 PM on 11/06/2011

This is just a guess but it's probably Pittsburgh.
They are very big on industrial glass there.

[BlifCar]

02:10 PM on 11/05/2011

I'd be interested in getting a look at the blueprints.
Tricky stuff.

[mitzvah]

01:25 PM on 11/05/2011

I think it is progressive and elegant architecture which is fitting in its representation of the intent of Apple as a company and its products since its inception.

[Charismatron]

10:30 PM on 11/05/2011

Totally agree! Jobs and Ives Apple is all about pushing design boundaries! Tim Cook understands this position but has absolutely no appreciation for it. I don't expect to see much more structural innovation like this coming from Apple. Nothing lasts forever.

[Brockernation]

08:34 AM on 11/06/2011

True, true. I've been wondering how long, with the passing of Jobs, Apple will last. He was the main driving force of the tech/art/usefulness combination that's be a signature of Apple from the beginning. Who else at the company can do this?

[hypnotoad72]

12:27 PM on 11/05/2011

Interesting concept. I'd hate to be the one having to dust the big logo hanging in the middle of the building... pity they can't use it as a greenhouse to grow things in... I wonder how much air conditioning will cost... You won't find me there at 2PM on a nice cloudless, sunny day...

[brooklyncitizen]

02:17 AM on 11/06/2011

a greenhouse?what a maintenance nightmare....
and you are worried about dusting the logo? lol

[stupid humans]

06:40 PM on 11/07/2011

the logo electro-statically repels dust

[J0E1]

11:42 AM on 11/07/2011

That's not the store itself, it's simple the entrance to the stairwell. The store itself is underground and probably cheaper to keep cool than most ground level stores.

[robhllnd2]

12:23 PM on 11/05/2011

Well, I think it's just grand!

[Carbon Forteetoo]

11:58 AM on 11/05/2011

Looks like people are occupying the Apple Store....in a good way.

[hypnotoad72]

12:23 PM on 11/05/2011

Says Masturcard... :)

[Montcalms Revenge]

09:33 AM on 11/05/2011

Every time I go there they don't have any Granny Smith's.... ;-)

[Bolkonsky]

02:25 PM on 11/05/2011

Nor any flared paisley trousers.