Apple Tower Theatre, Apple’s newest retail store has opened to visitors in the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, marking Apple’s 26th location. Close collaboration between the design teams at Apple and Foster + Partners brings together the clean lines of Apple technology with richly decorated interiors and exteriors. This opening also marks the launch of Apple Creative Studios, a global initiative to provide hands-on experience and mentorship to young creative minds. Also in Los Angeles is Apple TV+ works supporting thousands of jobs in the creative industry with the world’s most creative storytellers.
A Building Steeped in History
Apple Tower Theatre honors the rich history and legacy by reinvigorating one of LA’s most historic movie theaters by giving a new purpose and restoring the buildings lost glory. The building was designed in 1927 by the prolific motion-picture theater architect, S. Charles Lee. This theatre was the first movie theater wired for films with sounds. Since 1988, the space has been empty and unused. Apple collaborated with leading preservationists, restoration artists to restore and enhance the intricate historic plaster detailing on the walls and ceiling, which dates back to the 1920s.
Artisans have thoughtfully restored, repaired, painted, and polished surfaces manually, restoring a decorative bronze piece to its original finish. New commissioned art is displayed on the ceiling of the fully restored arch; this symbolizes the intersection of liberal arts and technology. Dynamism and color was added to the space via the reinterpretation of the central dome with a fresco of the calming golden sunshine. Every surface was carefully refinished, and the coming generations will enjoy the theatre as it has undergone a full seismic upgrade.
The corner of Eighth Street and Broadway is anchored by Apple Tower Theatre, where immediately visitors will recognize the distinctive clock tower, recreated and improved Broadway marquee and exterior terracotta facades were restored. Visitors can walk under it to enter a generously monumental lobby at street level, which is inspired by Charles Garnier’s Paris Opera house, featuring a majestic arched stairway with bronze handrails flanked by marble Corinthian columns. Next the visitors are taken to the upper levels by an immaculately restored staircase with red-carpet; while the lobby expands to the main theatre hall at ground level, transformed into a majestic display area. Welcoming are the two new elevators installed in the theatre to take customers to every level.
Genius Bar on the balcony
The seating in theatre’s balcony has been modernized with luxurious leather theater-style seats with integrated electrical and data points, thus creating an open, flexible seating space for Genius Bar appointments and giving the perfect spot to view the Forum. At the top of the balcony is the Genius Level.
Dome of Apple Tower Theatre
The overhead dome now brightens the space with an atmospheric sky, which originally depicted scenes full of clouds and cherubs. The stained-glass window has been restored featuring a unique fleur-de-lis pattern with a coiled celluloid film strip and the purple stripes found only on early sound film of the golden era of talkies and films.
The Forum
In the heart of the store the new Forum, home to Today at Apple, it reinstates the screen under the proscenium arch and surrounded by the theatre’s original balconies. Here at the Forum free daily sessions to inspire and teach practical skills will be led by Apple team members and members of the local creative community.
The auditorium displays all of customers’ favorite products, including the all-new iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K continuing the Tower Theatre’s legacy of technological innovation as the perfect venue for Apple’s full line of iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which creatively transform modern-day music composition, filmmaking and photography.
Today at Apple Creative Studios
Today at Apple Creative Studios – is a new magnet for the public – a global initiative for the young creative mind offered in Apple Store locations worldwide in collaboration with the nonprofit Music Forward Foundation, the Social Justice Learning Institute and as well as the Inner-City Arts. Creative Studios LA gives access to hands-on experience with technology and creative resources by a platform to elevate and amplify the evolving talents’ stories by providing free programming over nine weeks.
Public in-store sessions along with virtual sessions will be hosted by Creative Studios teaching artists and mentors, including rapper and producer D Smoke, singer-songwriter Syd, cellist and singer Kelsey Lu and photographer and filmmaker Bethany Mollenkof. The two artists Noah Humes and his mentor, Maurice Harris, who worked on the exterior mural will conduct a virtual session. Everyone is welcome to join by registering at apple.com/creative-studios-la.
Apple Tower Theatre will be open for support and service to visitors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Those wishing to order new products online, customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists for Support services to choose monthly financing options, trade in devices, no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup.
Images Source: Apple
