Original location The first incarnation of the store, known as Apple North Michigan Avenue, was located at 679 North Michigan Avenue. The store opened on ; it was Apple's first
flagship store and the first Apple Store in Chicago. Its serial number was R035. The original , three-floor store featured a stone facade with an apple logo shaped window,
green roof, skylight, and signature glass staircase. The store's final day of operation was . The former location remained empty until 2024, when an
H&M store was opened in the space.
Construction The
Chicago Tribune discovered plans for the store's new location when it obtained a draft for the store from the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.
Opening The store's new location opened on October 20, 2017. The opening was attended by
Tim Cook and Illinois Governor
Bruce Rauner.
Modifications The store faced several problems upon opening. Several challenges were related to the
climate of Chicago. The store's glass exterior was frequently subject to condensation and frost. The HVAC system was modified to heat and cool the glass, matching the outdoor temperature and preventing the buildup of moisture. The store's sloped roof was also subject to ice formation which, due to temperature fluctuations, made falling ice likely. The outdoor area beneath the roof was closed until the problem was addressed by a
software update to the roof's heating system. ==Design==