I have a colleague who runs his business out of an office that is situated behind the new Apple store on the Rue de Rive in Geneva. The store is due to open before the end of this month and today they powered up the air conditioning systems.
The block that my friend is working in backs onto an open area between the buildings where there are fire escapes and the roof of the ground floor establishments.
Apple's new store runs into the middle of this area and during reconstruction a lot of noise has been generated by the workmen there, so far the neighbours have tolerated this but today seems to be the final straw.
When the air conditioning units were powered up the noise was so great that it would drown out any noise that the workmen had previously generated. Even with all his office windows closed the noise is unbearable he tells me. Prior to the Apple stores refurbishment works it was possible to have the windows open as it was a relatively quiet location compared to the usual noise and bustle of the Geneva high street just the other side of the building.
Residents and other businesses living in the block have already complained so watch out for any new law suits coming Apple's way. Not a great start for the 1st of 3 new stores due to open before the end of the year.
The other two stores are in Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's exclusive shopping street and until recently said to be the most expensive street in the world. The other store will be in GlattZentrum which outside of Zurich in a large shopping center (mall) near the town of Dubbendorf.
The new Geneva store has already caused some controversy as it is situated only a few doors away from the well known Apple reseller FNAC which sells Apple products alongside other consumer goods.
