Work has begun on Apple's massive new retail store in Manhattan's historic Grand Central Terminal as the company works quickly to try to open the store in time for the holiday shopping season. As noted at last month's approval for the project, Apple will be able to move forward on a very tight construction timetable due to the fact that only minimal changes to the building itself are permitted.
Earlier this month, one MacRumors reader passed along a photo showing the closed off stairway to the former Metrazur restaurant where the Apple retail store is being constructed, suggesting that at least preparatory work was underway to close the restaurant and turn the site over to Apple's contractors.
Another reader has now passed along new photos showing work underway, and while the view from the concourse below the store is primarily of scaffolding and plastic tarps, it is clear that things are moving forward.
We've been told by an employee at Grand Central Terminal that crews have already demolished the kitchen area of the former Metrazur restaurant and are working to turn it into a storage room for the Apple retail store.
In addition, Apple has reportedly indicated that it is planning to open the store in time for the "Black Friday" shopping rush, which falls on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and represents the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Black Friday falls on November 25th this year, and Apple is said to possibly be shooting for a grand opening on November 12th, in line with the previously-reported four-month construction timeframe with respect to last month's project approval.
Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface.
The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas.
Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial
The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive.
If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging."
Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs.
We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else.
iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
What a brain-dead idea by Apple. Taking a very historic and iconic terminal in NYC and putting their awful gaudy glass monstrosity-type store there. It is going to look out of place, it is going to be an eye sore for people who visit and commute, and by the way Apple, you already have four stores in Manhattan alone, one just a 10 minute walk from Grand Central. Is this one really necessary?
The only reason they are letting this even go forward is because Apple has more money than they know what to do with, and have forked over obscene amounts of money for this space.
I for one, even being a fan of Apple products, will never visit this store. I travel through Grand Central Terminal everday; this store is going to look SO out of place it is not even funny.
so you joined the site just for that ? great start
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
