Apple Opens Its First Flagship Store in India
Designed by foster + partners.
Apple has officially opened its first flagship store in India, occupying a prominent corner of Jio World Drive, a retail precinct of the upscale Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Foster + Partners, the architectural firm behind a number of new Apple stores around the world including those in London, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, and Thailand, was chosen to lead the project.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Apple on their first flagship store in India. Apple BKC embodies the creative spirit of Mumbai. The design incorporates finely crafted elements, locally sourced materials and lush greenery – to stimulate the senses and lift the spirits,” says Stefan Behling, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners.
The retail space welcomes visitors with a panoramic 8-meter-tall glass facade with greenery, including a row of ficus trees, blurring the line between inside and outside. The ground level features Apple’s usual array of display tables and avenues and an open event space with a large video wall and a feature wall wrapped in white acoustic fabric. Surrounding walls are finished in fine grain, evoking the silky texture of georgette fabrics sourced from Rajasthan. A stainless steel and glass staircase leads up to the cantilevered mezzanine where visitors are offered an obstructed view of the floor below and landscaped outdoor areas.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the new location is the hand-crafted timber ceilings made up of 450,000 individual timber elements which reflect the geometry of the store. Each of the 1,000 tiles is assembled using 400 pieces of oak, woven in a lattice pattern inspired by the cane and ratan weavers in Mumbai. Designed with sustainability in mind, the store is LEED platinum certificate, powered by dedicated solar panels.
With India recently surpassing China as the most populated country in the world, the flagship store opening is an important milestone for Apple as it looks to expand into the rapidly growing market.
The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible! We are so excited to open Apple BKC — our first store in India. pic.twitter.com/talx2ZQEMl
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2023
