Plans for Bologna, Italy Apple Store move forward
updated 04:05 pm EST, Tue November 30, 2010
Close to source of Apple stonework
Contractors will start work on the construction of a fifth Italian Apple Store next month, says La Repubblica. The outlet will be based in the northern city of Bologna, and occupy a former Stephanel clothing shop at Via Francesco Rizzoli 16. The store itself should occupy 5,300 square feet spread across two floors. A third floor will be reserved for Apple offices and meeting space.
La Repubblica adds that the store will be just 38 miles north of the Il Casone stone quarry. Family-owned, the quarry is said to be the exclusive stone provider for Apple Stores. Il Casone's president, Alberto Bartolomei, in fact claims that several sections of rock are reserved for Apple projects; of the company's $16.8 million in 2009 revenue, about 20 percent was derived from Apple.
Bartolomei suggests that the Bologna store could open in spring 2011. Apple is planning to expand to several major European cities in the next year, including Edinburgh and Amsterdam.
[Photo via Flickr]
