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In case news of the over-hyped third Apple store doesn’t reach you, the tech giant opened its third point of sale in Singapore yesterday at another tourist destination: Marina Bay Sands.
But there were no tourists at yesterday’s opening amid continued travel restrictions around the world. When Cocos Singapore We went there around noon, a long line of local Apple fans lining up to be among the first to witness the brand’s aquatic outlet, which has been heavily marketed as the world’s first “floating” Apple store.
Apple confirmed rumors two weeks ago that its third store after Orchard Road and Jewel Changi Airport was joining Singapore’s Marina Bay skyline in the iconic integrated complex. The two-story glass building is also domed.
Apple hits the water with the first maritime store to come to Marina Bay
The main entrance to the store is in the basement and not on the Marina Bay Sands boardwalk, where visitors can exit the store in good weather. On the basement level, soundproofed wood paneling covers the ceiling leading to the escalators where visitors access the second floor.
Customers will be greeted by multiple rows of devices, including smartphones, smart watches, laptops, and accessories. There’s also a wall of Apple watch straps that isn’t available anywhere else except at their 24-hour store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Hundreds of smartphone cases are also stored in a wall of built-in drawers that customers can help themselves with before payment.
At the end of the basement hallway, the escalators take visitors to the second floor where the glass dome is located. The company seems very proud to have escalators in its store for the first time, and says they were custom designed in “space gray.”
That’s probably why the escalator ride seemed longer than usual, about 45 seconds (yes, we timed it). There is also a lift available for wheelchairs.
At the top, we were greeted by more Apple employees in white nylon face masks. We were told that 150 people work in the store and that together they speak 24 different languages. The face masks they used were also specially made by Apple and are not for sale yet.
The dome is modeled after the Roman temple Pantheon, said Apple guide Melvyn, 30. It is made with 114 panes of glass and 25 white rings known as sunshades that block direct sunlight. The rings form the oculus in the center of the structure that shines like a spotlight down to the lower deck. Two water cannons are also installed that act as sprinklers in case of fire.
Ten benches and tables distributed in an area designated for events such as design and instruction workshops. Hearing aid devices are available for the hearing impaired.
Apple Marina Bay Sands is definitely more visually appealing than the other two outlets, but taking photos there can be difficult unless you’re only shooting with a wide-angle lens.
Everything runs along a narrow, elongated hallway at the basement level and into the wide circular space on the upper floor, where bright display cases reflecting the dome and surrounding light can make products less visible.
But the spacious space facilitates social distancing. Everyone must stand two meters from each other and visitors must reserve equipment on the website before arriving.
If you need space, peace and quiet while you ponder the new AirPods and iPhones. This is a good place to go, for now.
FIND THEM
Apple Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue, B2-06, Singapore, 018972
12pm to 8pm every day by appointment
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Apple hits the water with the first maritime store to come to Marina Bay
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