• Apple Store, Brompton Road, London. Courtesy Apple
    Apple Store, Brompton Road, London. Courtesy Apple
  • The Apple Tower Theatre retail store at Broadway Theatre District in downtown Los Angeles, California. AFP
    The Apple Tower Theatre retail store at Broadway Theatre District in downtown Los Angeles, California. AFP
  • The Apple Opera store in Paris. Courtesy Apple
    The Apple Opera store in Paris. Courtesy Apple
  • The exterior space of the new Apple store at Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The exterior space of the new Apple store at Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Apple store at the Sanlitun shopping area in Beijing, China. EPA
    The Apple store at the Sanlitun shopping area in Beijing, China. EPA
  • The Apple Store in Piazza Liberty in Milan. AFP
    The Apple Store in Piazza Liberty in Milan. AFP
  • The Apple Store at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Photo: Apple
    The Apple Store at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Photo: Apple
  • The Norman Foster and Partners designed flagship store at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
    The Norman Foster and Partners designed flagship store at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
  • An Apple store in Shanghai, China. AFP
    An Apple store in Shanghai, China. AFP
  • The Apple store at Schildergasse in Cologne, Germany. It has room for local artists to be displayed, plus a hanging glass staircase. EPA
    The Apple store at Schildergasse in Cologne, Germany. It has room for local artists to be displayed, plus a hanging glass staircase. EPA
  • The Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City. In its 2019 redesign, the store gained a spiral steel-and-glass staircase, mirror-glass Skylenses and honey locust trees. Getty Images via AFP
    The Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City. In its 2019 redesign, the store gained a spiral steel-and-glass staircase, mirror-glass Skylenses and honey locust trees. Getty Images via AFP
  • The Apple store in downtown Bangkok. AFP
    The Apple store in downtown Bangkok. AFP

Apple's new London store joins the ranks of architecturally impressive shops


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Apple is well known for going beyond the basic high street store for customers to shop for its products.

Now it has again focused on visually striking architecture for its new Brompton Road store in London.

Another collaboration with architect Foster + Partners produced the outlet, which is situated between high-end department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, the new store's "curved timber ceiling reflects the existing geometry of the building’s historic facade", Foster + Partners said.

"People enter the store through the central arcade, mirroring the dimensions of the original Brompton Arcade, which was built in this precise location in 1903," it said.

Eight ficus trees reference London’s famous Hyde Park, which is only a few steps away from Brompton Road.

The Apple Brompton Road store in London. Photo: Apple
The Apple Brompton Road store in London. Photo: Apple

Apple Brompton Road’s terrazzo flooring is comprised of plant-based bio polymers, the first of its kind in the company's worldwide retail network.

The new store comes weeks ahead of the company's expected launch of a range of new devices.

Apple’s new iPhone 14 series is expected to have four devices in two sizes, with the announcements expected on September 13.

Apple’s net profit dropped almost 10.6 per cent on an annual basis in its fiscal third quarter ended June 25, despite the company earning record revenue.

Profit during the three-month period dipped to $19.4 billion, almost $5.6bn less than the quarter that ended on March 26.

In April, Apple said that parts shortages would hit its sales by between $4bn and $8bn.

You can see some of Apple's most impressive stores from around the world in the slideshow at the top of the page.

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Apple iPhone through the years

  • The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters
    The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters
  • The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters
    The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters
  • The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP
    The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP
  • The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters
    The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters
  • A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters
    A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters
  • Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters
    Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters
  • The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images
    The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images
  • The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images
    The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images
  • The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP
    The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP
  • The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters
    The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters
  • The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA
    The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA
  • The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP
    The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP
  • Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP
    Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP
  • The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters
    The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters
  • The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP
    The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP
  • The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters
    The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters
  • A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP
    A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP
  • The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters
    The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters
  • The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters
    The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters
  • The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters
    The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters
  • The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP
    The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP
  • A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA
    A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA
  • A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP
    A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP
  • Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters
    Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters
  • Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP
    Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP
  • The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP
    The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP
  • The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images
    The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images
  • Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / EPA
    Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / EPA
  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters
    The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters
  • The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP
    The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP
  • Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA
    Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA
  • The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
    The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
Updated: August 03, 2022, 7:42 AM