Upon the extending partnership of Foster + Partners, Apple opens today, June 24, a store that takes place in a renovated historic tower theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.
The tower theatre, originally designed by American architect S. Charles Lee in 1927 was the first theatre in Los Angeles to screen motion pictures with sound. The architect is known for movie theatre designs during the 20th century. The baroque revival historic theatre has been abandoned since its closing in 1998.
Courtesy of Apple
Apple and Foster + Partners collaborated with the City of Los Angeles and experts in the field of building preservation and restoration to renovate the renowned tower theatre. The historic was fully upgraded and recovered to its old beauty. This included restoring the theatre’s clock tower and renovating the blade sign that now says “Creativity Rises” from one of its sides.
Courtesy of Apple
The tower theatre had two façades facing Eighth Street and Broadway. The terracotta façades were cleaned and a canopy that used to extend over Broadway is rebuilt.
Upon the guests’ entry, they are welcomed through a grand hall that is restored to its splendid Charles Garnier’S Paris Opera House theme. The grand hall features an arched stairway with bronze handrails and marble columns. To complete the ambiance, a red carpet emphasized the staircase.
Foster + Partners restored the tower theatre’s Forum and its original balconies. The Forum is now used as Apple’s retail space with a display screen hung where the cinema screen used to be. It will host “Today at Apple”, where free daily sessions by local filmmakers and musicians will be presented through the signature video wall, to inspire the guests and users. This space will also be used to teach practical and technical skills.
Courtesy of Apple
The Apple Tower Theatre has an interesting history of events and uses – it used to house an evangelical church, its loppy has been previously used as a retail space for vendors, and it’s been a frequent filming location!
“At every corner, Los Angeles bursts with creativity across the arts, music, and entertainment, and we are thrilled to build on our relationship with this special city,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail + people. “Apple tower theatre honors the rich history and legacy of this entertainment capital.”
Courtesy of Apple
The original cinema seatings on the upper level of the tower theatre were transformed to be Apple’s Genius Bar to host the support center. Two elevators were installed to facilitate accessibility.
Among the previous adaptive reuse and restoration approaches, the double-height space’s ceiling is covered with a restored fresco of a blue and cloudy sky. Moreover, the original stained glass windows were accurately restored including the pattern of coiled strips of film.
Courtesy of Apple
Apple Tower Theatre is Apple’s 26th store branch in Los Angeles. This is not Apple and the UK studio Foster + Partners’ first collaboration at all, nor their first collaboration in renovating a historic landmark to be a technology brand retail. Recently, Foster + Partners restored and renovated the Palazzo Marignoli in Rome to be an Apple Store. Other collaborations include Apple Dubai Mall and Apple Spaceship Campus.