The slow but steady transformation of Downtown's historic Tower Theatre into a new Apple retail store continues to move forward. The most recent milestones include the unveiling of the freshly-cleaned and restored façade, as well as a partially-reconstructed clock tower.
Apple announced that they would be coming to the historic movie palace at 8th Street and Broadway in 2018. They are fully renovating the building, which was constructed in 1927, into a unique retail store and event space. The Cupertino-based tech company has more than 500 stores, but plans to differentiate the ornate Downtown LA location by incorporating space for various programs, classes and live events.
Foster + Partners is designing the project in coordination with Los Angeles-based Gruen Associates. Original blueprints, photographs and records are being used to restore the historic cinema house to its original appearance. The building, which suffered damage to its clock tower from an earthquake in the 1970s, is also undergoing a full seismic and structural retrofit.
Rumors of Apple coming to the Historic Core began as early as 2015, and since that time the Broadway corridor has seen a robust transformation. Several buildings surrounding the Tower Theatre are also undergoing renovations including the adjacent Singer Building where a flagship Vans sneaker store has opened, as well as the Merritt Building and the Garland Building - both of which are being converted into office space.
