Microsoft May Be Sidling Up to Apple on Fifth Avenue

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It seems like Microsoft is looking to keep its enemies very, very close. The Daily News is reporting that the tech giant is in talks for a storefront at 677 Fifth Avenue—just a few blocks south of the Apple cube flagship store.

"For Microsoft to land on Fifth Avenue just a few blocks from Apple would certainly be interesting," Douglas Elliman retail broker Faith Hope Consolo told the paper. "It would be very dramatic." She noted that rents in the area have recently topped $3,500 per square foot.

The address they're looking is occupied by Fendi for now (they contemplated leaving about a year ago) and is comprised of two levels totaling 8,700 square feet. Representatives from Microsoft and the building's landlord declined to comment on the transaction to NYDN.

Apple's probably too busy to notice the encroachment, however—they're reportedly setting up two more Manhattan stores on Madison Avenue and in the Financial District.
· Microsoft in Talks for Flashy Fifth Ave. Store [NYDN]
· Fendi Leaves Fifth, Ignites Madison Avenue Domino Effect [Racked NY]
· Is Apple Spreading Its Seed on the Upper East Side? [Racked NY]