God Bless the Apple Store

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Inspired by concern about how the Chanel Mobile Art Pavilion blurs the line between public and commercial space in New York, the Times looks at the history of the GM plaza where the Fifth Avenue Apple store is currently located. In 1978, it was an "unattractive hole" housing a car-themed restaurant that served a "vapid" vichyssoise. In 1999, it was a CBS studio space. And now, thank heavens, it's home to a gleaming temple of techno-gadgets. Problem...solved? [NYT]