Presentation of Apple Store in Foster + Partners Transformation of the historic Carnegie Library of DC
Plans for Apple’s next flagship store, located in the historic Carnegie Library on Vernon Square in Washington, DC, was approved by the Regional Committee for Historical Preservation Conservation (HPRB).
The project includes the renovation of the interior and exterior of the Library of the Beauk Arts Library, covering 63,000 square meters, built in 1903 and added to the National Register of Historical Cities in 1969. The plan will allow the library to be shared by Apple and the existing tenant of the building, The Historical Societies of Washington. The two-storey Apple Store will be located on the first floor and the level of the basement of the building, and will be designed by Foster + Partners, continuing cooperation with the technological giant.
Restoration efforts will be led by New York’s Beyer Blinder Belle, and will include the reversal of earlier renovations, including a rooftop over the original skylight and the conversion of a reading room into a theater. Opening up the interiors to better light, partitions in the library’s stacks will be removed, and ceiling in the Great Hall will be redesigned to create an atrium.
“This new space, which will feature a massive video screen, new wall openings on both levels, and circulation “bridges” connecting the upper floors, will significantly alter the historic layout and character of the interior,” a report from Historic Preservation Office (HPO) stated.
