Shibuya Apple store reopens after a year of renovation
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The Shibuya Apple store in Tokyo has reopened today with striking modern styling, coinciding with the release of the iPhone XR. The new four-storey design features dramatic natural lighting and a new spiral staircase, described as “stunning” by local media. The store, which reserves substantial space for back-of-house activities, took 11 months to transform, during which time two further stores were opened in Japan.
The original Shibuya store, which opened in 2005 as the fourth in Japan, was also well-known for its distinctive spiral staircase, reflective of Apple’s retail aesthetics at the time. The new design is closer in look to that of the Steve Jobs Theatre.
Comparing the original design with the revamp offers a unique perspective into Apple’s evolving retail architecture. The earlier version of the store, optimised for the iPad era, has been enlarged vertically rather than relocated to more expansive premises, indicating the importance to Apple of the location over the venue’s suitability for the brand’s contemporary retail features such as its video wall, which is conspicuously absent in Shibuya.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why did Apple choose to renovate the existing Shibuya store instead of moving to a larger location?
Why did Apple choose to renovate the existing Shibuya store instead of moving to a larger location?
The article suggests Apple views the Shibuya location as highly important, preferring vertical enlargement of the existing store over relocation, even if it means compromising on some contemporary retail features like a video wall.
Q.What significant design features does the newly reopened Shibuya Apple store include?
What significant design features does the newly reopened Shibuya Apple store include?
The renovated store features striking modern styling across its four floors, incorporating dramatic natural lighting and a new spiral staircase, which local media described as "stunning."
Q.How long did the renovation of the Shibuya Apple store take to complete?
How long did the renovation of the Shibuya Apple store take to complete?
The transformation of the Shibuya Apple store took 11 months to complete, during which time Apple also opened two additional stores elsewhere in Japan.
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