Apple Puerta del Sol

Madrid (Spain, Europe)

02/29/20 - 03/01/20

On the 29th of February 2020, I traveled to Spain to enjoy a great weekend in Madrid with friends. Undoubtedly, my purpose was to visit Apple Puerta del Sol for the first time. It was a strange time to travel because of the danger associated with Covid-19. The first news about the virus was spreading around the globe, and nobody was aware of the tremendous consequences, and neither me. I was not negligent or naive about the situation then because I cared for myself and others. In addition to that, it was a very new situation. Honestly, I was one of the few people who felt I had to stay home.

Nonetheless, you can see the result with your own eyes through my iPhone's lens. Madrid is a stunning city, and its citizens have a relaxing mentality. Apple Puerta del Sol is located at a vivid plaza in the heart of Madrid, and it doesn't scream "Apple Store" because it doesn't need to. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed this store in cooperation with executive architects SPI from Milan and BT/G4 from Barcelona, and therefore Apple Puerta del Sol opened in 2014. They already had expertise in this field because it was not the first Apple Store that they had designed. They also created Apple VillageMall (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); Apple Aix-en-Provence (France); Apple Pioneer Place (Portland, Oregon) and Apple Omotesando/Apple 表参道 (Tokyo, Japan) in 2014 and many other ones like the iconic Apple Passeig de Gràcia (Barcelona, Portugal). Puerta del Sol is not just a vivid place to be. It is the most visited plaza in Madrid. Puerta del Sol means "Gate of the Sun," and it is also considered the exact center of Spain. Therefore, the architecture built in 1863 and the large crowds in front of the Apple Store are a magnet for tourists and customers. During the construction of Apple Puerta del Sol, an enormous project, workers discovered ruins of the 15th century Buen Suceso hospital and church, which are not visible and accessible to customers.

I visited Puerta del Sol after the renovation process. Apple continues its work to remodel its stores around the globe to create a meeting point and learning space. The attitude of Apple Stores is unique in the branch of retail. In other words: Apple wants to make a vivid place where every person can learn and experience excellent sessions with Today at Apple. As a result, Apple Puerta del Sol got the so-called Forum dedicated to Today at Apple sessions. This includes a gigantic Video Wall to attract more people for free sessions and to portray beautiful product videos. The Forum is in the middle of the store and is highlighted by the sunlight shining through the glass roof. When entering the two-story store, you see the Forum and every possible Apple product: iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple music accessories like AirPods, Beats, and HomePods. Puerta del Sol even has a Mac Pro with two Pro Display XDR. At the back of the massive stone wall, you can look at different accessories from brilliant third-party brands, Apple watch bands, iPhone cases, and more.

The second level is accessible through stairs or an elevator for disabled people. This level includes the whole Genius Bar and other accessories, including Apple TV with Apple TV+ content, Mac cases and sleeves, and health-related and gaming accessories with support for Apple Arcade. Of course, you can sit and relax on the upper level, but you can trust me. Try to connect and be creative with others in Today at Apple sessions. Some sessions, such as product knowledge sessions, are at the top level and are dedicated to smaller groups. The best at last: the basement includes a magnificent Boardroom. It is just accessible and available for business customers who want to talk privately and in a quiet environment with an Apple employee about future projects and their need for Apple products for their success. This room contains seating areas with a TV, music accessories, and great books and photos of Apple Park and the Steve Jobs Theatre for inspiration. In front of the Boardroom is an information board about the history of the building, and it includes this text:

"Archaeological vestiges of the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church in the refurbishment and fitting-out of the building at Puerta del Sol 1 - The Law on Spanish Historical Heritage (16/1985), two Royal Decrees (111/1986 and 620/1987) and the recent law 3/2013, passed on 1818 June 13, regarding responsibilities and procedures on historical heritage matters pertaining to the heritage of the Region of Madrid, are the regulatory foundations that have guided the archaeological survey conducted on the site of the building at Puerta del Sol 1. Archaeological work on this site began in 2010 when the first vestiges of the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church were identified, but it was not until 2013 than an important system of foundations linked to that hospital was uncovered. The oldest documented cultural phase has been dated to the modern era. The ruins of the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church (15th-19th centuries), numerous water conduits (19th-20th centuries) and vestiges of the current building's foundations (19th-20th centuries) have been detected. The archaeological remains linked to the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church have been preserved in situ, and their location has been mapped out on the floor of the store basement. In compliance with the aforementioned Law 3/2013 (Article 24), the vaults in the basement level have also been preserved as a characteristic architectural feature of the surveyed property.

The origins of the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church can be traced back to 1438, when Juan I ordered a hospital to be built to care for those stricken by a plague epidemic that ravaged the city of Madrid. The original hospital was erected between Calle Alcala and Carrera de San Jerónimo, adjacent to the wayside chapel of San Andrés after which it was named. In 1489 the Catholic Monarchs began building a permanent home for the Royal Court Hospital, which had traveled with the court up to that time, and they decided to use the existing structure of the old Hospital of San Andrés. The founding of the Royal Court Hospital was confirmed in a papal bull issued by Clement VII on 2828 January 1529 and in 1610 a church was raised beside the hospital and dedicated to Our Lady of Good Success (Virgen del Buen Suceso) which served as the first Ministerial Palace Parish Church from 1753 to 1764. On 2424 February854, during the ecclesiastical confiscations instigated by Mendizábal, demolition work was begun on the Buen Suceso Hospital-Church, leaving only the ruins of its foundation below ground level.

A new structure was soon erected on this site, the Gran Hotel Paris, which opened in 1864 after the first remodeling of the Puerta del Sol. The hotel's ground floor was home to the Café de la Montana, also known as Café Imperial, where artists and intellectuals gathered to converse and debate. One of its more famous patrons was the playwright, poet and novelist Ramón del Valle-Inclán, who lost his arm after an argument with journalist Manuel Bueno come to blows in this same coffee house. The café continued to operate until the early 20th century, and the hotel closed its doors in 2006. The property has been refurbished on several occasions since then.

A fantastic Apple manager of Puerta del Sol gave me a tour of the entire store, which was such a tremendous experience. Ultimately, I want to advise you about your possible future trip to Madrid. In addition to a visit to Apple Puerta del Sol, you must enjoy the culinary delights of Madrid's restaurants, like tacos or falafel, and the exciting culture. Please enjoy this fantastic city and the feeling of Southern lightness in your mind. Feel free to contact me for other photos, advice, or tips for my next visit to Spain/Madrid. I hope you enjoyed this article and the images about my short trip to Madrid! You can find more Apple Puerta del Sol photos under this blog post; just scroll/swipe down.

All Photos were taken with an iPhone 11 Pro max