At first there were a few rumblings, then it seemed like an abandoned idea, and now it looks like Apple does want to build a store at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Affably referred to as “Grand Central,” the Manhattan landmark is reportedly looking to sign up a new tenant for a huge – that is, relatively huge for such a constricted area – space that can afford to pay a hefty amount of rent.
It stems from the fact that one of the terminal’s institutions, a bar and restaurant called Metrazur, will be leaving Grand Central in July. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which operates the terminal, wants to combine that space with another adjoining vacancy to create a 15,230-square-foot retail haven, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Apple already has another store less than a mile from Grand Central. The one on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, perhaps the most iconic Apple retail location in the world, is a short 16 blocks from Grand Central but to time-crunching New Yorkers that seems like a lifetime away.
Additionally, Grand Central’s foot traffic is a marvel in and of itself, wwith tens of thousands of commuters, nearby office workers, and tourists walking through it every single day.
All of the restaurant and retail storefronts, though, are tiny and crowded, and there are no big chain store names within the station. Apple could benefit by becoming the headline attraction of the landmark building.
The Wall Street Journal reports the MTA is in serious negotiations with Apple about the deal, and unlike previous rumors suggested, the Journal says Apple has not walked away from the discussion.
