It's official: Apple is opening a store in Downtown L.A. Though the tech giant has brushed off rumors of its grand plans to take over the Tower Theatre, Curbed LA has confirmed that historic movie palace filed renovation plans with the Department of Building and Safety that "are explicitly planned for Apple."
The L.A. real estate blog writes that the 91-year-old venue — which was Downtown's first talkie theater when it opened in 1927 — is proposing "voluntary seismic retrofits to the space" and upgrades to the existing mezzanine. Curbed also notes that Apple plans on moving into the ground floor and basement and that "the permits have not yet been approved, according to the department's online database." As DTLA Rising blogger and realtor Brigham Yen previously reported, both spaces each span 7,429 square feet.
Sadly, LA-based tech accessories brand Hex — which opened its tiny flagship at Tower Theatre two years ago — won't reap the benefits of Apple's arrival. The stylish label was recently given a 28-day notice vacate their space, reports Apparel News. Hex co-founder Trent Valladares told the industry trade publication that his company is currently seeking other storefronts in DTLA.
Apple's DTLA outpost follows other high-profile openings in Historic Core's buzzing 9th and Broadway district, where Vans (whose spring debut was delayed), West Elm, Theory, and InCase are just a few brands set to open. The cool corridor is also home to pioneers like the Ace Hotel, Urban Outfitters, cult-cool Swedish brand Acne Studios, Aussie apothecary brand Aesop, and Portland's now-shuttered Tanner Goods (who all opened on Broadway in 2013 and 2014) as well as Oz-based fashion collective BNKR, H&M's minimalist sister label Cos, Berlin-bred eyewear brand Mykita, and Korean sunnies brand Gentle Monster, to name just a few.
No word yet on when Apple is set to open its DTLA doors; stay tuned for more.
Tower Theatre, 802 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
