Update 2 – May 31, 2009: Thanks to in Beijing for finding the store location. Apparently the store will indeed be located (as originally rumored) near Qianmen Street – South of 2nd Ring Road in Beijing’s historic central axis – Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Over the last several years, the area has been undergone a major (9.2 billion yuan) renovation to restore the area to 1920s era architecture. Major retailers such as Hennes & Mauritz, Starbucks and Apple will all have storefronts in the new (old) Qianmen district. Interesting about Qianmen (2 years ago).
Update May 31, 2009: has posted a story today with architectural renderings of a new “yet to be officially announced” Apple Store in Beijing, China. This would be the second major Apple-owned store to be opened in China. The first store, in Sanlitun Village, opened last summer in time for the 2008 Olympic Games. is reporting that the new Beijing store location is “4th street” … or 4th ring? Readers? Anyone know where this store front (see below) is located? The 4th Street near to Taoranting Park (also near to the original rumored location on Qianmen Street)? Or perhaps somewhere along the 4th Ring in China’s Silicon Valley (4th Ring Road North West)?
If the renderings are to be believed, then the new store will come with Apple’s signature glass spiral staircase. See slide show of new Beijing Apple Store renderings > HERE
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Feb 25, 2009 – Apple’s planned opening of a second store in China is moving forward
Qianmen Region Beijing
“Apple Inc has chosen the historical Qianmen region in Beijing to open its second retail outlet in China, reported Sina.com, citing an anonymous source inside the company. However, the report did not say when Apple Inc would open the store. Although Apple has had a presence in China for many years, the company did not open its own store until July 19 last year when it launched the first one at Sanlitun in Beijing.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Apple’s planned second store opening in China is coming soon, citing Apple’s spokeswoman. It said Apple’s unit sales in China surged 49 percent in the third quarter of last year, accounting for about 0.25 percent of the company’s total unit sales in the quarter.”
More on Apple’s 1st store in China at Sanlitun > HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE
