Officials OK redesigned Apple store: Burlingame Planning Commission approves new look

The decision comes roughly six weeks after the commission tabled a decision on the proposal, as most of its members felt the company had not done enough to blend its new design with the adjacent buildings amidst the thriving shopping district.

But during the most recent discussion commissioners expressed an appreciation for a willingness of the Cupertino-based technology company to think differently.

“You guys have done a terrific job of addressing our concerns,” said commission Chair Will Loftis. “We appreciate it. It’s nicely done.”

Commissioner Richard Sargent shared a similar perspective.

“I like the changes, I think they look really good,” he said.

A majority of the alternations to the initial proposal focus on the back of the building, abutting the parking lot facing Park Road, which officials initially claimed was not given consideration equal to the redesigned storefront along Burlingame Avenue.

Commissioners had taken issue with the long, blank walls on sides of the store not serving as an entrance or exit for shoppers, so Apple representatives responded with a proposal adding more windows, along with landscaping and logos, to break up the building’s solid outer shell.

The changes enhance not only the look of the store, but the surrounding neighborhood as well, according to a letter to Burlingame officials from the architecture firm managing the design for Apple.

“Taken together, these changes will reinvigorate the rear of not only the Apple store, but that of the two adjoining spaces as well,” according to the letter from Atilio Leveratto, senior associate vice president at CallisonRTKL Architects. “Each will be articulated and distinguished from the other, providing visual appeal as well as an invitation for users to the parking area to walk around to the storefronts.”

Commissioner Nirmala Bandrapalli said she believed the proposals met their intended mark of giving the building a more interesting aesthetic appeal.

“It complements the streetscape and adds diversity to the block. This is great, I really love the changes,” she said.

The proposed look of the entire building is aligned with an effort by Apple to roll out a new store design across many of its retail locations. The style mirrors many of the company’s devices, featuring a hard and simple exterior giving way to a glassy and sharp access point where customers can engage with the products.

In previous discussions, commissioners had lauded the look of the front of the store and the way it drew in those shopping along Burlingame Avenue.

Ron Karp, who operates a real estate firm near the Apple retail store, said he believed the company’s presence is an asset to downtown Burlingame.

“We are fortunate to have them,” said Karp.

Representatives from Williams-Sonoma and Gap, which have nearby stores in the city’s core commercial district, also wrote letters supporting the Apple proposal.

Bandrapalli cited the advocacy of nearby businesses for allowing the renovations in justification of her favorable vote for the project.

“I see so much support from other property owners and merchants, that is great news,” she said.

Sargent expressed a similar sentiment.

“I appreciated the way they have worked with us and the community to come up with a project that works,” he said.

Commissioner Richard Terrones was absent from the meeting and Jeff DeMartini recused himself from voting because he owns stock in the company.

In other business, the commission unanimously approved a proposal for Bolder Cup Café to open at 1326 Broadway. The café will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with bakery and pastry items, coffee, blended fruit drinks as well as ice cream. It will occupy the space previously serving as home to Broadway Hardware.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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