Apple will open TWO Apple Store in Paris in 2009.
The first Apple Store will be located at the Carrousel of the Louvre, a very touristy shopping mall that is under this famous museum. This Apple Store will be built in the spaces of the two existing stores Lalique and Résonances (not fare from the Virgin Megastore) and the store will also spread onto the second floor and take over part of the Food Court.
The second Apple Store will certainly be the mother ship of Paris and maybe of Europe. Since many years Apple wanted to open the first European store in Paris, near the Opera. The first building chosen by Apple was the American Express building on rue Scribe. Unfortunately, city regulations prevented Apple from building that Store which would have modificated the building’s façade. Apple had to give-up the dream that Paris would be the first European capital to accommodate an Apple Store. It was instead London, which had this chance.
It now seems that Apple has finally found the dream location. It is right behind the Opera Garnier near the major department store “Galleries Lafayette”. Where the streets: Gluck Meyerbeer and Halévy meet, there exists a square called Jacques Rouché. At the numbers 12 rue Halévy (Paris 9) exist an important building with an immense unoccupied space on the ground floor.
This large space has a very high ceiling that will make it possible for Apple to build several levels as they have done in every Apple Store. However, this store will be the first in the world to have an architectural style different from the other stores. Apple would like to preserve the Parisian spirit of this building.
The two Apple Stores are scheduled to open in Paris next year. The construction permits and the duration of the work will certainly push the opening to probably late 2009.
For those, who are already in the “starting block” to offer their talent to this temple of technology, FYI: Apple usually starts recruiting 6 months before the opening. Start brushing up on your tech skills.
Is it my fantasy or reality?
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