BIM Architecture at Los Angeles Apple Retail Center: Theatre Tower by Foster + Partners

The Apple Tower Theatre is Apple’s latest flagship store, transformed from an abandoned 1920s cinema in downtown Los Angeles by the British design studio Foster+Partners. Collaborating closely with Apple Technologies, the team restored this historic building, originally designed in the Baroque Revival style by American architect S Charles Lee in 1927.

The Tower Theatre was originally built in the 1920s.

Located at the intersection of Eighth Street and Broadway, the Tower Theatre was the first theater in Los Angeles to screen cable sound films. However, it has been closed since 1988. For this renovation, Apple and Foster+Partners partnered with the Los Angeles City Government and cultural heritage conservation experts. The project involved restoring the theater’s iconic corner bell tower and refurbishing prominent side signs. The original terracotta exterior walls were removed, and a new canopy extending over Broadway was rebuilt.

The grand entrance hall was inspired by the Paris Opera House.

Inside, the entrance hall reflects the style of Charles Garnier’s Paris Opera House, featuring restored bronze handrails and marble columns. A luxurious red carpet now adorns the stairs, enhancing the elegant atmosphere.

△ Restored bronze handrails and red carpet

The heart of the Apple Tower Theatre is a spacious retail hall. Display screens now hang from the restored arches where cinema screens once were.

△ Retail Hall

The original cinema hall has been preserved on site. Apple intends to use this space as an auditorium for daily workshops and talks by local filmmakers and musicians.

△ The original cinema building has been preserved

The upper-level original cinema seats have been redesigned into the Genius Bar.

The carefully restored stained glass windows feature curled film strips, complementing the blue sky and white clouds mural on the dome. The Apple Tower Theatre marks Apple’s 26th store opening in Los Angeles.

△ Restored stained glass window

△ Dome mural

△ Arch carving detail

Photo courtesy of Apple.

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