Apple Readies Launch of Entirely New Flagship Sanlitun Taikoo Li Store

Apple fans in Beijing will have something new to ogle this coming week with the unveiling of the tech company's brand new Beijing flagship store in Taikoo Li Sanlitun mall.

Located directly opposite the current Apple Store, on the west side of the main Taikoo Li plaza, the new store appears complete on the outside and features a design similar to that of Apple's US Michigan Avenue store in Chicago, with its signature glass facade as well as an overhanging wood-finished roof and stone sides. Currently, the new store also sports a colorful blooming flower decal, matching Apple's online marketing materials (including a matching downloadable wallpaper if you really want to fanboy/girl it up). However, it's unclear whether this will be a permanent fixture or will be completely or partially pulled off to reveal the inside once complete.

When approached by the Beijinger, staff at the current store had apparently – as is very befitting of Apple – been sworn to secrecy regarding when the new store would open, tersely stating "I don't know" to repeated questioning. Luckily the memo had apparently not reached the store's security guard who chirpily relayed that it would open next Friday, Jul 17, and that the old store would simultaneously close.

The new store has been under construction for over a year and is situated in the space formerly occupied by The Orange events space, according to 9to5mac, and marks the only time that an Apple Store in China has moved location. Prior to the pandemic, it was believed that the new space would open in spring.

Meanwhile, the current Taikoo Li store was the first that the tech giant ever built in China – back in 2008 just in time for the Summer Olympics – and now operates three other stores in the capital in Xidan Joy City, Wangfujing's Beijing APM, and Jianguo Lu's China Central Mall.

If you intend to attend the opening this Friday, expect it to be more muted than it would have been sans the coronavirus pandemic, but nevertheless rammed with Apple fans trying to get a first glimpse of the inside.

READ: Sanlitun Bars Likely to Remain Closed for at Least Another Two Weeks

Photos: Tom Arnstein, Apple