Apple’s first Austrian retail store looks absolutely gorgeous

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Apple Store
Apple's new store in Vienna sits on a popular pedestrian shopping street near the Vienna State Opera.
Photo: Apple

Apple just gave us a sneak preview of its first store in Austria, and it’s pretty stunning! Apple Kärntner Straße, which will open this Saturday in Vienna, is designed with “the original heritage building in mind,” Apple says.

The totally Apple-y redesign of the building, which sits on a famous shopping street between St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera, combines exposed columns outside with large window openings.

“We can’t wait to join the bustling city of Vienna, a European crossroads so rich in history and culture,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of retail, in a statement. “Apple Kärntner Straße brings the best of Apple together with our products, services and educational programs. Everyone is welcome to connect, be inspired to learn, and unlock their creativity.”

The two-story retail outlet is located at the Kärntnerstrasse, one of downtown Vienna’s most profitable shopping streets. Until now, the nearest closest Apple Stores were in Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Employees at the new store will speak a total of 44 languages (!). As with many Apple Stores around the world, it will stage various free Today at Apple daily sessions, focused on photography, coding and app development, music, art and design. There will also be a Kids Hour on Saturdays, aimed at attracting younger future customers into the Apple fold.

Apple Kärntner Straße, new Apple Store in Vienna
A glimpse inside Apple’s new store.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s Austrian store

Reports of the new Apple store first arose in August 2016, when local news sources claimed the company was finalizing a deal to take over the venue, which was previously owned by a clothes retailer. Soon after, Apple began posting retail job listings in the city, searching for managers, creatives, geniuses and specialists.

Since then, Apple remodeled the storefront, restoring its entry and window placement to their original locations.

Do you live in Austria and plan to attend the grand opening? If so, or if you’re lucky enough to be visiting, make sure to drop us a line with your thoughts about (and pictures of) the new retail center.

Source: Apple

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