Apple gets green light on Boston store plan

Apple Computer Inc. is moving in the right direction with a revised building design for its first Boston store, the Back Bay Architectural Commission told the company at a hearing last night.

Giving Apple a conditional blessing, the group approved the demolition of the existing building at 815 Boylston St. as long as the computer maker presents an appropriate building design. But the commission, while complimenting the design changes, denied for now last night's proposal, an expected move for a project of this scope, according to commission chairman Anthony Casendino.

Apple is seeking to demolish the building across from the Prudential Center, which Copy Cop currently occupies, and construct a three-story building with a glass façade. The changes presented at last night's meeting include creating a recessed entrance and installing stainless steel columns inside the store that divide the glass façade in sections -- alterations that are intended to make the modern design fit better with the older architecture in the neighborhood.

``We like the direction it's going in. You're on a great track, keep going," said John Christiansen , a commission member. ``It's technologically inspired and historically inspired."

Development projects that propose demolition of buildings in the Back Bay Architectural District generally require the commission's approval. The group formed a subcommittee to work with Apple to tweak these designs and come up with additional proposals.

Commission members last night expressed concerns about the amount of light emitted from inside the store, especially with new residential neighbors moving into the planned five-star Mandarin Oriental across the street. Apple said there might be some degree of coating on the glass, but that it wants to keep the building as transparent as possible.

Apple's current design also includes a spiral staircase in the center of the building and a skylight with a green roof. Apple is seeking to suspend its logo, a white apple, in the middle of the façade and have it illuminated during operating hours. Apple's Bob Bridger said at last night's meeting that the company hadn't addressed whether the store would operate beyond ``normal working hours." The merchant recently opened a store in New York City that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and features more than 100 Macs and nearly 200 iPods.

In an advisory hearing in March, members of the commission gave Apple's proposal a cool reception, expressing some concerns that the design did not seem to fit in with other buildings in the neighborhood.

Apple, which twice delayed its first formal hearing before the commission over the past several months, said it wants to press ahead as quickly as possible and noted an agreement with the building's existing landlord that expires this week which required Apple to receive design approval.

``It certainly moved in the direction we asked, but I'd like to see a little more," said Frances Duffly, a commission member.

Apple's retail division generated more than $1 billion in revenue during the 2005 holiday season. The company operates 147 stores and said it plans to open 40 stores in 2006. In Massachusetts, Apple runs stores in Braintree, Burlington, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, and Peabody.

Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com.