New Apple store Los Angeles USA

Apple mark the opening of a new store in downtown Los Angeles. The space occupies the newly renovated Tower Theatre, which opened in DTLA’s Broadway Theater District in 1927. Among other milestones, the 900-seat theater was the first in LA to be wired for the talkies, hosting a premier of “The Jazz Singer” that same year. Not for nothing, it was also the first theater in the city with air conditioning.

Apple Tower Theatre is actually the company’s 26th store in greater LA. Obviously, though, moving into a 94-year-old theater takes a fair bit more work than, say, a shopping mall. The store has been in the works for a number of years, owing in part to having to work with the city to restore a space that had been declared a landmark.

Interestingly, an LA Times article back in 2018 noted that the space, “may also serve as a declaration that Apple intends to compete as a major Hollywood content creator.” In hindsight, fair enough. Apple TV+ launched late the following year.

The theater has actually been largely unoccupied since 1988, which clearly meant even more work had to go into shining up the walls and making the grand old theater presentable for that modern retail vibe — not to mention a seismic upgrade to help make it more earthquake proof.

The company also notes that it took care to maintain some of the space’s more iconic elements.

“Apple Tower Theatre anchors the corner of Eighth Street and Broadway, where visitors will immediately recognize the fully restored clock tower, recreated Broadway marquee, clean terra cotta exterior, and renovated historic blade sign,” Apple writes. “After walking through the Broadway doors, guests enter the monumental lobby inspired by Charles Garnier’s Paris Opera House, featuring a grand arched stairway with bronze handrails flanked by marble Corinthian columns.”

The store’s opening also marks the launch of Apple’s new Creative Studios initiative. The LA store and a location in Beijing will be the first to get the program. In its initial form, it will run between eight and 12 weeks, providing a group of mentors from the creative arts.

“Creativity and access to education are core values for Apple, so we are absolutely thrilled to kick off today at Apple Creative Studios in Los Angeles and Beijing and to bring this meaningful program to several more cities this year,” SVP Deirdre O’Brien said in a press release. “Building on our long history of using stores as a venue to host local artists to educate and inspire, Creative Studios is one more way we’re providing free arts education to those who need it most.”

Last week, Google launched its first retail store in Manhattan’s Chelsea district. The Apple Tower Theatre location opens at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday, June 24. The company says it’s employing nearly 100 to keep the store running.

 

Inside a Grade II Listed Converted St. Saviours House in Knightsbridge, London

Saint Saviours was originally designed in 1838 by celebrated Architect George Besevi whose other notable works include the design of properties located in Belgrave Square, Pelham Crescent and Thurloe Square.

In early 2010, Rigby & Rigby commenced a major redevelopment program of St Saviours House and whilst the important architectural features have been preserved, the property has undergone full redesign and refurbishment with the emphasis on reinstating the extraordinary volume in the principle rooms.

The property has been extended from 8,605 sq.ft to 11,505 sq.ft to create the perfect balance of formal and informal reception rooms and lavish bedroom suites.

The focal point of the house is the magnificent drawing room that boasts 42ft vaulted ceilings, original stone pillars and oak beams that flank the specially commissioned stone staircase which ascends around the bronze and glass lift.

A generous lower ground floor was created to provide an indulgent and opulent leisure suite including a swimming pool, spa, treatment room, gymnasium and media suite.

Saint Saviours House is now undeniably one of the finest private houses in Knightsbridge.

A project by Rigby and Rigby

Rigby and Rigby, one of London’s leading developers, was commissioned to develop Saint Saviours House on behalf of a private client in early 2010. Rigby and Rigby, appointed the professional services team, acquired and integrated a neighbouring property, selected the design team, constructed the property and are now selling the house on behalf of the client.

Rigby and Rigby’s in-house design and management team have created an exceptional property, finished to the highest standard, with a “no compromise” approach to quality.

Rigby and Rigby has worked with clients to develop some of the finest houses in Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Belgravia.The business is part of Rigby Family Holdings, a £2.8bn group headed by Sir Peter Rigby.

Howes and Rigby

Rigby and Rigby have partnered with celebrated international interior designers,Taylor Howes, to form Howes and Rigby. Working in partnership, the interior of Saint Saviours House represents the finest in worldwide interior design coupled with an exceptional lighting scheme by Sally Storey.

The unique finish and flawless interiors are a testament to the capability of the combined teams and offers private clients a seamless service from concept to completion including architecture, planning, construction and interior design.

The Store of the Future – Post COVID-19

The outbreak of COVID-19 is transforming the economy and consumer habits that will have a long term impact on how people shop and what role retail stores will play in the future. Considering these trends, we imagine what the store of the future will look like.

1. Virtual Stores and Online/Offline Integration

The outbreak of COVID-19 has made it evident that operations in different industries need to be prepared to quickly shift their offline strategy to an online strategy with digital platforms during times of crisis. Traditional offline retail and marketing channels include brick-and-mortar stores, pop-up stores and trade shows, among others. While digital channels played a supportive role for achieving effective retail strategy in the past, they will soon become as important as offline channels and partially replace offline functions in the coming years.

Virtual retail stores, that are designed to either look like real stores, or have a conceptual high-impact approach, will complement offline stores. Virtual retail stores are spaces where consumers can walk through, browse the products, learn about new collections or the brand, and be exposed to promotions. Interactive features and links to e-commerce websites or WeChat mini-programs, allow consumers to immediately purchase products.

The required flexibility of retail channels made apparent by the virus outbreak and the current economic crisis, exposed the need for a much better definition of the purpose and functionalities of each channel as well as a better technological integration. Key functionalities of brick-and-mortar stores like retail sales and promotional events will need to be flexible and easily movable between offline stores and online channels as required.

Offline stores will continue to play an important role in retail strategy by providing contrast and excitement through tactile stimuli that online experiences are lacking. Virtual retail stores can be built fast at a limited cost and with essentially no design limits. They will become an integral part of the retail strategy and provide brands with the much needed dynamic to satisfy the Chinese consumer’s hunger for content post COVID-19.

2. Increased Level of Personalization & Customization

Increased time at home has increased the level at which consumers online shop. Their favorite online stores have saved their personal style preferences and can send them customized messages with product recommendations. They can also interact with both virtual and real shop assistants and stylists through the app. Besides sharing styling advice and product recommendations, the stylists will offer to take care of the planning and management of the virtual wardrobe or product portfolio of consumers. The value of this service is that individuals do not need to dedicate time and efforts to think about what they need or should wear at certain occasions in the future, as well as, professional styling advice for free.

In the offline retail store an AI store assistant supplements the customer with product information, recommendations, answers questions as well as books orders of customized products that have a different color, stitching, size or accessories.

3. Focus on Health Aspects

Post COVID-19, retail brands will have to ensure their stores are safe and make certain health related information available to consumers. This might include the body temperature and good health status of employees being on duty and working in the store on that day, which will be visible on a screen close to the entrance. This concept is somewhat similar to the kitchen hygiene requirements which are already mandatory for restaurants in China. At the moment, in China, food delivery apps already display the current body temperature of the person delivering the food.

When consumers enter the store of the future after COVID-19, their body temperature is registered. Some retail brands might go even one step further by screening vital functions. When emergencies happen like a customer being of ill health or having a heart attack, the AI system in the store automatically calls an ambulance. Retail stores will also have hand sanitizer and facial masks ready in the stores in case of need.

In terms of shopper psychology, consumers will be more aware of the shopping process, which may affect their overall interaction with the brand and its products. Making appointments in advance to visit stores and try the products, and ensuring that they shop at times where the store is less crowded are likely to be new consumer preferences.

4. Shopping for Personal Experience and Indulgence

The above factors will lead shopping in offline retail stores in malls to become a more conscious, often pre-planned process which consumers look forward to thanks to the unique personal interaction with the brand, sales consultant and the products.

The shopping experience and the interaction with a certain product in a store will become something more appreciated; a special moment. The quality of personal service will increase and be a valued factor in purchase decisions.

Those retail brands that have realized the importance of authenticity, sustainability, and have made the effort to build a strong brand identity, will be the most successful ones. They will be the ones that have gained larger brand loyalty from consumers, which makes them feel safer going to these store and buying from this particular brand.

5. Brick-And Mortar Stores become Multi-Purpose Spaces

A big part of offline events will be replaced by digital events. Live streaming, interaction supported by virtual spaces and video conferencing technology are already becoming more important today and will further increase in importance. Retail stores in malls will have an important but slightly changing role.

They will become more conceptual, experiential spaces and include artistic, lifestyle, or food & beverage consumption elements to complement product displays as part of the overall brand representation.

Stores will sometimes host events that are streamed live to customers at different locations. Brands will also host offline events with a limited amount of VIP guests as well as more interesting promotion designs, that span through various online and offline channels.

6. Design Challenges

What does all of this mean for retail designers? With the adjusted overall retail strategy of brands and changing role of offline stores, retail design agencies need to develop new store concepts and propose solutions to some of the existing challenges.

One of the biggest challenges will be the clear definition of the purpose and functionalities of offline stores. Flexibility will be one of the key aspects, which in terms of design strategy is often contradictory with creating a strong brand experience, maximization of products in a space as well as cost control.

Lighting concepts of stores might increasingly include ultraviolet light that is switched on a few times each day for a short period of time to kill germs, bacteria and viruses.

Stores will also need to be designed in a way that seamlessly integrates online channels and technologies. In-store technology that explains products by scanning QR codes, screens and AR will become standard.

We believe that COVID-19 is giving brands an opportunity to review their current retail strategy and strengthen it. The creativity and development that are currently happening in the industry are actually pretty exciting. We look forward to a future with smart retail brands that thrive, online and offline store concepts that make sense economically, and consumers who enjoy the brand experience and its products.

L’Avventura, Stockholm Sweden

L’Avventura is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of Vasastan, and consists of two bars and a restaurant. The former cinema theatre is the restaurant’s bustling heart, with six-metre high ceilings, stucco mouldings and wall paintings by Nils Asplund.

L'Avventura is a popular restaurant and bar in Stockholm, Sweden. It is located in a former cinema building in the Vasastan district, and it is known for its elegant atmosphere, delicious food, and extensive wine list. The restaurant serves modern Italian cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but you can expect to find dishes such as house-made pastas, seafood dishes, and grilled meats and vegetables. 

The bar at L'Avventura is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It offers a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers, as well as a variety of bar snacks. The bar is also known for its lively atmosphere and friendly staff. L'Avventura is a great place to go for a special occasion or a romantic dinner. It is also a popular spot for business lunches and after-work drinks. The restaurant is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and the bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

Here are some of the things that people love about L'Avventura: The elegant atmosphere and beautiful setting in a former cinema building. The delicious food, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The extensive wine list and well-stocked bar. The friendly and professional staff

L'Avventura, Stockholm Sweden was developed by the company Frantzén Group. The interior design was done by the company Note Design Studio. Note Design Studio is a Stockholm-based design studio that was founded in 2008. The studio is known for its innovative and creative designs, which have been featured in projects all over the world. The studio's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Red Dot Design Award and the German Design Award.

For the interior design of L'Avventura, Note Design Studio drew inspiration from the restaurant's location in a former cinema building. The studio wanted to create a space that was both elegant and inviting, and that reflected the restaurant's focus on food and wine. The studio used a variety of materials and finishes to create the desired effect, including marble, wood, and glass. The studio also incorporated a number of unique design elements into the space, such as a custom-made chandelier and a wine cellar that is visible from the dining room.