Apple's newest retail location—a "floating" store in Singapore—is set to open on Thursday, Sept. 10. Part of the country's luxurious Marina Bay Sands resort, the spherical shop is Apple's first to sit on the water (and to have a subaquatic boardroom for business meetings).
Comprising 114 pieces of glass connected by vertical bars, the building boasts 360-degree views of Singapore and is "flooded" with natural light during the day, according to Engadget, which published an image of the sleek store's interior. Visitors can expect an open, airy space, sprinkled with potted trees, benches, and Apple's traditional product-highlighting tables. An escalator appears to take customers to a lower level, presumably stocked with more merchandise.
"Apple Marina Bay Sands will be at the heart of creativity, a place we've made for you to capture your ideas and passions," the company website said. "It will be a space for you to explore, connect, and create something new. We can't wait to see where your imagination takes you."
Don't expect to just walk into the domed store for a quick glance around, though. Opening day visits are by reservation only, with a limited number of people allowed inside the store at any one time. Interested shoppers can claim a 45-minute slot online. As of press time, bookings for Thursday, Sept. 10 are completely full; Apple encourages folks to "check back periodically for any cancellations." For now, the online schedule does not extend beyond Sept. 10.
This summer, Cupertino temporarily shuttered nearly 80 retail shops across the US, following reports of a spike in local COVID-19 cases. The firm—which implemented daily deep cleans, one-to-one service, temperature checks, and face mask requirements at reopened stores—promised to continue paying staff at closed locations.
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