Shubham Sawarkar
Apple announced today that Apple Bağdat Caddesi will open on Friday, October 22nd. Apple Bağdat Caddesi, located in the heart of Istanbul, will be Apple’s third retail outlet in Turkey. This two-level attraction combines local materials with cutting-edge retail design to create an open and fluid area for customers to explore Apple’s products and services, as well as take part in free Today at Apple activities.
“With the opening of Apple Bağdat Caddesi, we’re thrilled to build upon the deep and long-standing relationships we have with our customers in Turkey,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People. “We can’t wait to welcome the local community to our newest store in Istanbul and bring them the best of Apple.”
To mark the occasion, Apple will launch Perspektif Istanbul, a six-week Today at Apple initiative that will pay tribute to the city and its creatives. The series, hosted by 20 local artists, combines creativity, culture, and technology into an experience that tackles subjects and ideals essential to the Istanbul community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in both in-person and virtual sessions, such as learning about traditional miniature drawing with illustrator Murat Palta, photographing the unseen with Magnum Photos photographer Sabiha Çimen, and creating a moving portrait with visual artist Sinan Tuncay.
In addition, the store will house an exclusive augmented reality (AR) display created by creative technologists Tin Nguyen and Ed Cutting, as well as Turkish sound artist Oğuz Öner. The experience transforms the store with an immersive digital installation and features many more Perspektif Istanbul artists. Visitors will be able to see ceramic vessels inspired by Ebru — the traditional art of paper marbling — in AR on their screens and hear unique spatial sound elements using the latest iPad Pro and iPhone 13 Pro with LiDAR.
Apple Bağdat Caddesi incorporates familiar design features from Apple Store locations worldwide and Apple Park in Cupertino, California, as well as locally sourced Aksaray Yaylak granite and Turkish travertine. The retail location, housed under a floating carbon-fiber roof, creates an urban sanctuary in the center of the city, replete with a big, tree-filled garden.
Inside, visitors will see the video wall and the Forum, which will host Today at Apple programs. Customers can explore Apple’s latest products and services on the upper floor, which is flanked by avenues. Through a 32-foot glass curtain, the entire space overlooks the store’s outside, blurring the lines between inside and outdoors. The interior is illuminated by two enormous skylights that open to provide ventilation.
Apple has been a part of the Turkish community for 30 years, and Apple Bağdat Caddesi’s staff members are excited to expand Apple’s engagement with local customers throughout Turkey. Apple Bağdat Caddesi’s diverse 130-person workforce speaks 14 languages and will welcome its first visitors on Friday, October 22, at 10 a.m. local time. Because Apple prioritizes the health and well-being of its customers and team members, the shop will adopt extensive health measures.
