Marin Architects designed the Apple Store in Williamsburg to house retail on the first floor and offices on the second, in stark contrast to the usual practice of placing as much residential and retail together as zoning allows.

This move makes a nod to the popularity of the Bedford Avenue corner as a hotspot for retail and carved the ideal spot for Brooklyn’s first Apple Store. The presence of Apple has sparked additional retailers to rent the surrounding properties.

The original older loft building had inconsistent ceiling heights, random wall punctures for in-wall air conditioning units, and brick that had been damaged by added green sheathing. It would have required extensive aesthetic and structural renovation whereas a new building was more ideal to suit Apple’s needs. With the character of the existing structure as an integral part of the neighborhood, a near replica of the original brick structure was designed for the site.

Only the corner portion of the block was demolished and the new structure now complements the surrounding architecture of the block with a brick façade, welcoming arched windows reminiscent of the original historic archways, and a modern take on traditional warehouse windows, now popular in residential lofts, to light the second floor offices. The interior was kept to a minimal design with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and pendant lights from a local artisan.

Photo Credit: ©Nic Lehoux