Terms of Apple's Sweetheart Deal for Grand Central Terminal Retail Store Revealed

The New York Post reports on some of the details of Apple's contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for its Grand Central Terminal retail store, noting that Apple received an extremely favorable deal for the space compared to other tenants at the terminal. Among the most significant concessions made by the MTA was a lack of any revenue sharing from what has been estimated to be a potential $100 million per year sales location.

But while real estate insiders estimate the shop will rake in $100 million a year in sales, Apple won’t be sharing a nickel with Grand Central’s operator, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The tech giant is the only retailer in the fast-growing retail transit hub to have such a sweet lease.

Critics likewise note that Apple’s $60-a-square-foot lease is well below what many other tenants are paying — including a future Shake Shack burger joint that will be shelling out more than $200 a square foot, according to the leases, copies of which have been obtained by The Post.

All other tenants at the terminal with the exception of a Chase ATM branch pay a percentage of their sales to the MTA once an agreed-upon threshold has been reached. The MTA has apparently been willing to sacrifice such an arrangement in order to land Apple as a tenant, projecting that the company's presence will drive increased sales at many of the over 100 other retail stores at the terminal.

apple store grand central nov29
Apple's Grand Central Terminal retail store (Thanks, Tom!)

Apple has posted digital signage advertising the forthcoming store, with The New York Post having indicated that it will be opening on December 9th.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
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...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
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...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
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...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...

Top Rated Comments

burjeffton Avatar
180 months ago
Yikes... this feels slimy. If it was a company like Walmart people would be rioting.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jtsnyc47 Avatar
180 months ago
Sigh New York Post

The biggest determiner in the price/sq ft difference between the Apple Store and the Shake Shack is the amount of space occupied. Apple's is 23,000; SS is 2,270.

You wouldn't know that by reading the article, but we are talking about the Post here. I guess it's remarkable that the words "mangled" "toilet" or "hooker" weren't somehow worked in.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiantech Avatar
180 months ago
Rich get richer!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
180 months ago
I question the legality of a public institution giving sweet heart deals like this. Doesn't seem in the best interest of the tax payers
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafterman Avatar
180 months ago
The size has no relevance, it's not like a company with $80B in the bank can't afford $200/sq. ft. anyway. The commercial value of the real estate doesn't change due to the size of the place, not where I'm from anyway.

It's a classic case of the rich getting richer, and much like Apple's $7B quarters where half the people on this site practically cream themselves and then decry Apple when they cut enormous bonuses to their executives, people will do the same here--say how great and awesome and powerful Apple is, and then complain when they give the money to the top executives at the company.

A sweetheart deal for Apple where NY is practically giving away the space. Meanwhile, NY will continue to blame its budget shortfalls on pension outlays, unions and other hardworking New Yorkers for "not doing their fair share". Even though NY is already the highest taxed state in the union :mad:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mutantteenager Avatar
180 months ago
Isn't it great when public utilities bend over for big business. I feel like emptying my wallet into the hands of the next rich person I see....
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)