Works starts on Apple's Palo Alto store

Construction appears to have begun on Apple's Palo Alto store site, but judging from the pics posted on Think Secret there's a long, long way to go before the outlet is kitted out and ready for business.

Think Secret's images don't add much to the story - they could be fixing up someone's garage for all we can tell - but the construction contractor's sign is telling.

The company in question is Fisher Development. It was the builder behind San Francisco's major Old Navy store, according to its Web site. It also kitted out Gap's Paris store and its 5th Avenue site, and a Banana Republic site in New York's Rockefeller Center.

Gap, incidentally, owns Old Navy, along with Banana Republic. Gap is run by Millard 'Mickey' Drexler. Drexler sits on Apple's board. Circumstantial, true, but a possible connection nonetheless.

Fisher's other high-profile are all well-known, high end retail brands, so that makes Fisher an obvious choice as Apple's retail construction contractor.

As we say, the state of construction suggests completion seems some way off, suggesting that Apple may no longer be shooting for an April launch, especially since the Littleton, Colorado store isn't due to open until November. Then again, stores are fixed up and fitted out so quickly these days, a spring launch perhaps shouldn't be ruled out just yet.

We're not sure how the other stores in the chain - in Chicago; New York; Littleton; Glendale, California and to which we've been told we can add Seattle; Austin, Texas and Cambridge, Massachusetts - but hopefully our various moles can supply is with info and/or pictures. ®

Related Link

Think Secret's Palo Alto pics

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