January 20th, 2008
The Apple Store is blocking your sidewalk
By Christopher DeWolf // 11 Comments
Mac lovers have been closely following the construction of the new flagship Apple Store on Ste. Catherine St. just west of Mountain. When it opens this fall, it will be the first Apple flagship in Canada and one of just ten around the world. Originally, Apple wanted to pay the city $30,000 in order to remove the two parking spaces in front of the store, so as not to mar its trademark façade, but the city refused.
Apparently, parking spaces are worth a lot more than pedestrian spaces, because the Apple Store's contractors have been allowed to block off a large section of the sidewalk on Ste. Catherine St. with a massive construction shield, creating a pedestrian bottleneck and forcing people into the street. While it's standard practice to install such hoardings when a store is being renovated, they are usually much smaller than the one at the Apple Store, which takes up at least three quarters of the sidewalk's width.
So far, nobody has raised this issue with the Ville-Marie borough, which would have authorized the hoarding. We'll keep you posted as we find out more.
Photos from MacEtMoi
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yay computer consumerism! everyone must buy a mac! mac mac mac mac mac mac 1 2 3 4 mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac
If this was a Microsoft store, it would be 5 years late in construction and the electrical/plumbing wouldn't work.
All people ever seem to do is complain. I was out there the other day and Radio Canada had some poor girl in -20 weather asking what people thought of the barricade. Someone should have asked her how she felt about frostbite! Any way you look at it we must praise the city for accommodating Apple with open arms as the gutsy contractors attempt to build one of the most beautiful retail spaces Canada will ever see! If the barricade bothers you, cross the street!
STOP COMPLAINING! it's a small part of the sidewalk! go protest more worthwhile things!
hey Boris >>
Say that to your grandma when she can't pass with her walker or your wife when they have to walk out into the road with the stroller or to your friend with in a wheelchair.
It may be a small thing but accessibility is something of great importance that shouldn't be ignored even if its just a "small part of the sidewalk."
A little late in commenting, but as far as I know, the owner of the property also owns the sidewalk in front of it - that's why restaurants are able to set up some platforms that extend to the sidewalk.
Having to detour because of construction work isn't something new guys.
Sorry Jack, you're wrong. Restaurants have to apply to get permits to use that space. The City says yes or no. Construction is supposed to be kept to the property line or they have to display a permit that shows they are 'renting' the space from the city.
Guys, I check with the city and the barricade is legal. As long as they leave 1.5 meters from the edge of curb to face of barricade, they are legal. Need to find something else to complain about.
Oh yeah, like this is the first time the sidewalk is blocked because of construction. Get real, stop whining already.
Its pretty much the absolute perfect location. They totally nailed it. Great branding for Ogilvy's too, any chance of an interior connection between the two? That could let hapless males off the hook of spending time in the LV while cutting their time spent outside easily in half!
If this would have been called a Microsoft Store, Apple fanboys would have yelled their head off already.
Comment by BruB
January 20, 2008 | 10:33 pm