Apple Store is expanding at Jordan Creek

The Apple Store at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines is getting a major makeover.

Apple is taking over the former Brookstone space to its west, and the Clarks shoe store to the east. The expansion will nearly triple the size of the often crowded store.

Brookstone closed in January and Clarks moved to a new space in the mall last week.

Apple will be temporarily housed in a space across from the construction in a storefront formerly occupied by New York & Company, which recently closed, said Randy Tennison, general manager of the mall.

Construction on the new Apple Store will take about five months, Tennison said. Walls will be torn down between the former stores and new displays, work tables and other features will be added.

A building permit issued by West Des Moines listed the value of the construction project at $3 million. The new store will be about 7,160 square feet.

Apple has been renovating and updating some of its stores, adding bigger Genius Bars — the tech support stations where customers can get help with their Apple products — additional product displays and a sleek, modern look.

Apple recently debuted a next generation store in a suburban Memphis, Tenn., retail center.

"A patented high-flung ceiling sports embedded light panels and recessed spotlights that illuminate product display tables below, arranged to maximize floor space and achieve a sense of openness. The iconic wooden tables, designed by (Jonathan) Ive, are new models with motion sensors that operate a motorized flip-up panel hiding electrical outlets and USB ports," according to AppleInsider website.

Apple officials did not return calls to the Register to outline the exact remodeling plans at the West Des Moines location. And employees at the store have not been given many details, except that the remodel will take several months and the store will begin operating from the temporary location April 13.

"Apple has been such a great tenant here and we have been working with them to figure out the best way to accommodate them," Tennison said.

Apple has been at the mall since shortly after it opened in 2004.

"This is a major deal," said Monte Nutzman, a West Des Moines Apple fan who has attended several Apple store openings. "It's good they will be getting more room."