Chicago River Highlights: The Apple Store

If you look right across the river while boarding the Chicago Architecture River Cruise aboard First Lady, you’ll spot a glass building with a gently rounded roof situated atop white stairs. Located at 401 N Michigan Ave, Apple Michigan Avenue was designed by London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, led by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster. Keep reading to learn more about the store’s unique design and how it became an iconic landmark on the Chicago Riverwalk. 

A Design That Flows With The River

Every aspect of the Apple store’s architectural design seeks to minimize the boundary between itself and the Chicago River. With 32-foot glass walls, customers and passersby alike can see right through them and into the city’s surroundings, blurring the lines between interior and exterior space. 

This transparent design required incredible attention to detail during construction. The stairs inside the Apple store had to align perfectly with the outdoor stairs, down to the tread indentations on each step. For a realistic effect, the artificial light inside also needed to match the natural light outside. To solve this problem, Apple created a new lighting technology to predict daylight conditions throughout the day, resulting in a dynamic indoor lighting environment. This technology won them the 2018 Award of Merit from the International Association of Lighting Designers.

The building’s 111-by-98-foot carbon-fiber roof was also designed to be as thin as possible. Coincidentally, due to its rectangular shape and curved edges, the roof has been likened to a MacBook lid, though this was not the architects’ intention. In fact, this roof was simply designed to gradually slope toward the river’s edge. Its proximity to the waterfront deviates from city standards requiring new developments to be set back at least 30 feet from the river. This meant working closely with the city during construction to secure special access, making it one of the closest buildings to the river. 

A Historic Riverfront Location

Apple Michigan Avenue is located on a historic site along the riverfront called Pioneer Court. Believed to have been the home and trading post of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Chicago’s first permanent settler, Pioneer Court is surrounded by some of the Magnificent Mile’s most iconic architecture, with the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, and the Marina Towers all visible through its glass walls. 

This spot on Chicago’s lively Magnificent Mile was not only chosen for its commercial prospects, but also for its access to the river. Before construction, the upper plaza and lower riverfront were separated into two levels, with only one inconspicuous staircase connecting them. Apple’s plan to integrate the two levels with their store required significant demolition, resulting in two granite staircases on either side of the store that provide convenient access to the riverfront. 

In the words of Chicago Architecture Center docent Peg Conway, “By design, its plan flows down to the Chicago River’s north bank, so we can access and enjoy that natural beauty while communing on the amphitheater of the stairs, or experiencing new activities in the Forum, or finding Apple products in the store.” 

A Store Built for Chicago

The Apple flagship store was designed to celebrate Chicago and its architectural traditions. When designing the store, Foster + Partners were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Prairie-style homes outside of the city. The glass materials, meanwhile, reflect Chicago’s love for sparkling glass architecture along the riverfront. 

The structure’s design also required adaptations to account for Chicago’s infamous cold. Without interventions, condensation would build on the glass during winter, hindering the building’s ability to blend in with its surroundings. To solve this, an HVAC system was built into the ceiling and floor to heat and cool the exterior glass. The roof was also built with a warming system to melt snow and ice, ensuring this was a store built for Chicago, no matter the weather. 

See The City For Yourself Aboard First Lady

Situated directly across from the Chicago Architecture Center, get the best view of this dazzling building with a Chicago Architecture River Cruise aboard First Lady. It’s the only architectural cruise in Chicago with docents courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center. Embark on a fascinating journey of Chicago’s iconic architecture and hidden history by booking your tickets today!