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Photo: Daniel Acker, Bloomberg
Customers are seen during the opening of the new Apple Inc. Michigan Avenue store in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. The building features exterior walls made entirely of glass with four interior columns supporting a 111-by-98 foot carbon-fiber roof, designed to minimize the boundary between the city and the Chicago River.
lessCustomers are seen during the opening of the new Apple Inc. Michigan Avenue store in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. The building features exterior walls made entirely of glass with four interior columns
... moreCHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Guests attend the grand opening of Apple's Chicago flagship store along Michigan Avenue on October 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The glass-sided store sits on shore of the Chicago River in the city's downtown. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
lessCHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Guests attend the grand opening of Apple's Chicago flagship store along Michigan Avenue on October 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The glass-sided store sits on shore of the Chicago
... moreCHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Guests attend the grand opening of Apple's Chicago flagship store along Michigan Avenue on October 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The glass-sided store sits on shore of the Chicago River in the city's downtown. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
lessCHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Guests attend the grand opening of Apple's Chicago flagship store along Michigan Avenue on October 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The glass-sided store sits on shore of the Chicago
... moreCustomers wait in line outside a store ahead of the sales launch of the Apple Inc. iPhone X smartphone in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. The $1,000 price tag on Apple Inc.'s new iPhone X didn't deter throngs of enthusiasts around the world who waited -- sometimes overnight -- in long lines with no guarantee they would walk out of the store with one of the coveted devices. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
lessCustomers wait in line outside a store ahead of the sales launch of the Apple Inc. iPhone X smartphone in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. The $1,000 price tag on Apple Inc.'s new iPhone X
... moreConsumers descend into the new Apple Michigan Avenue store along the Chicago River as others try out the Apple iPhone X Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Consumers descend into the new Apple Michigan Avenue store along the Chicago River as others try out the Apple iPhone X Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press
Photo: Sal Veder, Associated Press 1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-found Apple Computer. The Apple I is introduced at $666.
1976:Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-found Apple Computer. The Apple I is introduced at $666.
Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press 1977: Apple II ($1,298) goes on sale.
1977:Apple II ($1,298) goes on sale.
Photo: SFC 1980: Apple goes public at a value of $1.8 billion. The IPO is the biggest since Ford’s in 1956. Apple III introduced. The logo above is as it appears today ($4,340).
1980: Apple goes public at a value of $1.8 billion. The IPO is the biggest since Ford’s in 1956. Apple III introduced. The logo above is as it appears today ($4,340).
Photo: Josh Edelson, AFP / Getty Images 1983: John Sculley named CEO.Lisa introduced ($9,995).
1983:John Sculley named CEO.Lisa introduced ($9,995).
Photo: ©Doug Menuez/Contour By Getty Images 1984: Macintosh introduced ($2,495). It's seen here with the Lisa II at left.
1984:Macintosh introduced ($2,495). It's seen here with the Lisa II at left.
1985: Jobs resigns.
1985:Jobs resigns.
Photo: Steve Ringman, SF Chronicle File 1989: Macintosh Portable unveiled ($5,799).
1989:Macintosh Portable unveiled ($5,799).
1993: Sculley steps down as CEO. Newton MessagePad ships ($699).
1993:Sculley steps down as CEO.Newton MessagePad ships ($699).
Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP 1996: Gil Amelio becomes CEO. Apple buys Next Software for $430 million; Jobs returns as consultant. Apple releases funky-looking Twentieth Anniversary Mac.
1996:Gil Amelio becomes CEO.Apple buys Next Software for $430 million;Jobs returns as consultant. Apple releases funky-looking Twentieth Anniversary Mac.
Photo: FABIAN BIMMER, ASSOCIATED PRESS 1997: Jobs named interim CEO.
1997:Jobs named interim CEO.
Photo: Frederic Larson, The Chronicle 1998: Apple introduces iMac ($1,299). Tim Cook joins Apple
1998:Apple introduces iMac ($1,299). Tim Cook joins Apple
Photo: Ben Margot 1999: iBook ($1,599) debuts with clamshell look and Wi-Fi.
1999:iBook ($1,599) debuts with clamshell look and Wi-Fi.
Photo: Associated Press 1999: iBook ($1,599) debuts with clamshell look and Wi-Fi.
1999:iBook ($1,599) debuts with clamshell look and Wi-Fi.
Photo: Kent Porter, AP 2001: First iPod ($399). Mac OS X ships. Apple plans to open 25 retail stores.
2001:First iPod ($399). Mac OS X ships. Apple plans to open 25 retail stores.
Photo: JULIE JACOBSON, AP 2003: iTunes Music Store launches.
2003: iTunes Music Store launches.
Photo: PAUL SAKUMA, AP 2004: iPod Mini ($249) kicks off digital-music revolution.
2004:iPod Mini ($249) kicks off digital-music revolution.
Photo: MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ, AP 2007: Apple launches iPhone ($499) and Apple TV ($299). iPod sales account for about half of Apple’s revenue in its fiscal first quarter.
2007:Apple launches iPhone ($499) and Apple TV ($299). iPod sales account for about half of Apple’s revenue in its fiscal first quarter.
Photo: CHRISTINA KOCI HERNANEZ/CHRONICL, SFC 2008: MacBook Air launches ($1,799).App Store launches.
2008:MacBook Air launches ($1,799).App Store launches.
Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press 2010: iPad launches ($499).
2010:iPad launches ($499).
Photo: ROBERT MICHAEL, Robert Michael/AFP/Getty Images 2014: Apple starts construction on new campus.
2014:Apple starts construction on new campus.
Photo: Via Bloomberg 2015: Apple Watch ($349) and iPad Pro ($799).
2015:Apple Watch ($349) and iPad Pro ($799).
Photo: JUNG YEON-JE, AFP / Getty Images New Chicago Apple store reportedly having issues with dangling icicles and falling snow chunks
Chicago's new flagship Apple store has been called an architectural marvel by critics. The transparent building features a sleek silver roof that resembles a closed MacBook, as well as a public plaza intended as a community gathering space.
But designers failed to account for something integral to the Chicago way of life – the weather. That sleek roof is apparently a public danger when the city's notorious winters arrive.
Local blogger Matt Maldre works near the store, which opened in October, and noticed some peculiar signage and caution tape during his commute recently.
"Caution," read the signs, positioned around the perimeter of the public square, "Watch for Falling Snow and Ice."
A photo shows a half-a-dozen icicles perched precariously above the signs, and bright yellow tape roping off large chunks of the plaza, which is likely an iteration of Apple's "town square" concept.
Apple's senior vice president of retail, Angela Ahrendts, announced the "town square" rebranding in September.
Story continues below.
Chicago freaked out on June, 23, 2017, after workers temporarily placed the Apple logo atop the new store.
Media: Tronc - Chicago Tribune "We don't really need to open more stores, but we need to open incredible places that almost behave like a town square, like a gathering place," Ahrendts told reporters in August.
SEE ALSO: Apple roasted for calling its stores 'town halls'
Maldre thinks the winter-weather oversight does the exact opposite.
"Maybe next time Apple will consider the actual community where their stores are built," he wrote. "Y'know, basic things like in Chicago, the weather gets cold. It snows. The snow falls off the roof. Don't design a slopping roof where the snow can't be caught or guttered off somewhere."
The Foster + Partners-designed store cost $27 million – or $1,350 per square foot – according to the Chicago Tribune. Tribune columnist Blair Kamin called the Chicago store "a gem" that "represents a skillful evolution of the company's architectural brand."
Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.
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