NEW YORK, NY – What happened when Apple wanted to build its newest store in one of the most historic—and historically preserved—residential areas of New York?

Apple has always been about the future. But for its latest store in New York’s Upper East Side, it had to go back a few years—to 1921 to be exact. Because the 9,000 square foot space is located in a building that is a recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Apple, architects David Andreini and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, and long-time building partner Shawmut Design and Construction, had to make numerous historically accurate renovations and restorations throughout the project—as well as exercise extreme caution when building the store within the neighborhood. The project team had to plan for unusually long lead-time items and build them into the schedule.

Some of the delicate preservation work Shawmut took on included: restoring the existing windows back to the original design intent of the almost 100-year-old building, replacing the existing ceiling with historically accurate ornate plaster ceilings, adding Botticino Classico marble floors and walls (five trips to Italy were needed to procure and fabricate the marble), and restoring the limestone storefront and Tennessee pink marble façade.

The entire project was extremely complex due to the single point of entry in the store, neighboring tenants, and a tight site space with no storage.

Shawmut and Apple have a long-standing history with over 180 Shawmut-built stores nationwide. But it’s safe to say, there has never been an Apple store quite like this one.