Apple revealed renderings of the upcoming move of its flagship store to 401 N Michigan Ave at last week's Chicago Plan Commission meeting. Based on the renderings, the build-out will significantly improve both Pioneer Court and the Riverwalk around the building.

When the build-out is completed, customers will enter the new Apple store via a 14-foot-high enclosed glass entrance and down stairs to a 20k SF concourse along the Chicago River. The Apple Store will measure 6,461 SF, with walls stretching 42 feet above the north bank's walkway, and a roof rising 20 feet above Pioneer Court, reports Loop North News.

The move will add 4,300 SF of public space around the building, and the new stairs leading to the Apple Store will replace the existing curved concrete stairs leading down to Michigan Avenue. The changes could have been even more dramatic: Apple's plans included a giant video screen facing the river, but Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) nixed that. Reilly claimed the screen was a violation of the city's Riverfront Design Guidelines. [LNN]