Apple Tower Theatre: New Store Coming to Downtown LA

Apple to Inaugurate New Store in Historic Los Angeles Theater

This Thursday will see Apple officially open the doors to its latest retail location in downtown Los Angeles. The new store is situated within the meticulously renovated Tower Theatre, a landmark that first welcomed audiences in DTLA’s Broadway Theater District back in 1927.

Notably, the 900-seat venue was a pioneer in Los Angeles, being the first theater equipped for “talkies,” and it hosted a premiere showing of “The Jazz Singer” in its inaugural year. Furthermore, it distinguished itself as the first theater in the city to offer air conditioning.

A Significant Expansion and Restoration Project

The Apple Tower Theatre represents the company’s 26^th store within the greater Los Angeles area. However, adapting a 94-year-old theater for retail purposes presented considerably more challenges than a typical mall build-out.

The project required several years of planning and execution, partially due to the necessity of collaborating with the city to restore a designated historical landmark.

Anticipating Apple’s Content Creation Ambitions

An article published by the LA Times in 2018 speculated that the space “may also serve as a declaration that Apple intends to compete as a major Hollywood content creator.” This prediction appears prescient, given the subsequent launch of Apple TV+ late in 2019.

The theater had remained largely unused since 1988, necessitating extensive renovations to revitalize the interior and exterior, and to ensure the building’s aesthetic appeal aligned with a contemporary retail environment.

Preserving Historical Integrity

A seismic upgrade was also undertaken to enhance the structure’s resilience against earthquakes. Apple emphasizes its commitment to preserving the building’s iconic features throughout the restoration process.

“Apple Tower Theatre anchors the corner of Eighth Street and Broadway, where visitors will immediately recognize the fully restored clock tower, recreated Broadway marquee, pristine terra cotta exterior, and renovated historic blade sign,” Apple stated.

“Upon entering through the Broadway doors, guests are greeted by the monumental lobby, inspired by Charles Garnier’s Paris Opera House, complete with a grand arched stairway featuring bronze handrails and flanked by marble Corinthian columns.”

Introducing Apple Creative Studios

The store’s launch coincides with the introduction of Apple’s new Creative Studios initiative. The Los Angeles location, alongside a store in Beijing, will be the first to implement this program.

Initially, the program will span eight to twelve weeks, offering mentorship from professionals in various creative fields.

“Creativity and access to education are core values for Apple, and we are thrilled to launch Apple Creative Studios in Los Angeles and Beijing, with plans to expand this meaningful program to additional cities this year,” said Deirdre O’Brien, SVP, in a press release.

“Leveraging our history of hosting local artists within our stores to educate and inspire, Creative Studios represents another avenue for providing free arts education to those who need it most.”

Retail Landscape and Staffing

Last week, Google unveiled its inaugural retail store in Manhattan’s Chelsea district. The Apple Tower Theatre will open its doors at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday, June 24, with a staff of nearly 100 employees.

The opening of this store signifies Apple’s continued investment in physical retail spaces and its commitment to blending technology with cultural landmarks.