Apple Battersea has just opened.
Apple
There are now 40 Apple Stores in the U.K. The first was in London’s Regent Street, and this one is in south London, in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station.
It’s less than two weeks since Apple announced the store was coming, draping it in its usual colorful barricade. It opened at 4PM London time today.
Battersea Power Station is now headquarters for Apple’s U.K. staff as well, in five floors of spectacularly designed offices in the building. The retail store sits inside as well, and has the distinctive inviting glass frontage Apple favors.
It also includes the most recent design for features like the Genius Bar, where you can get help from insanely well-informed staff, for instance. The new design includes avenues, as Apple calls them. For instance, the Genius Bar has a bench so Apple staff and customers can sit on each side. Throughout the store are the trademark handsome wooden tables, some of which have stools in readiness for Today at Apple events.
All are created with universal design principles, that is, to make the place inviting and accessible for everyone. As a result there are varied table and seating heights, as well as what Apple calls expanded assisted listening systems and “enhanced visual and acoustic clarity as well as access routes that give wheelchair users more space to navigate”.
Apple Battersea with Genius Bar..
HUFTON AND CROW
The Today at Apple events include a Photo Tour called “Capturing the Story of Battersea Power Station” where those in the group head out to explore the power station and area around. “You’ll learn how to combine angles with lines to create perspective, adding textures and shapes to set your composition.” The first photo tour is July 1 and like all Today at Apple events, it’s free. There’s also a site-specific art tour, “Drawing Perspective at Battersea Power Station”, which begins on June 28 and uses the brilliant Procreate app. It’s designed to encourage you to be mindful of space, objects and places so this can add detail to drawings.
There’s also a session on Photo Skills, which starts on June 29 and other sessions include two video workshops and two music ones.
Speaking of music, there are live performances outside the store from today through Sunday, with local artists including JGrrey and Kwaye.
Additionally, Apple says, “In partnership with Battersea Arts Centre and Curated Makers, Apple Creatives have supported eight local emerging creatives to bring Shot on iPhone and Made on iPad works to life, all inspired by Battersea Power Station. Customers will be able to discover and shop these works at Curated Makers, a retailer in the power station that champions local artists.”
Apple Stores are consistently inviting and attractive, offering a comfortable and calming environment that’s well laid-out and appealing. Apple says that like all its stores, this one is “operationally carbon neutral and runs on 100% renewable energy.” Oh, and the wood is sustainably harvested.
This latest store is open seven days a week: 10AM-9PM Monday to Saturday, 12-6PM Sunday. Apple says, “Customers can download interactive wallpapers, enjoy one month of Apple TV+ free, and explore a curated collection of shows, music, apps, games, podcasts, books, and upcoming Today at Apple sessions at apple.com/uk/today/battersea.”
