Apple to get its own Chicago subway stop?

Seth Weintraub
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October 26, 2009
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This seems like a good idea.  Apple's opening a Retail Store next year in Chicago near a run-down subway station at North and Clybourn.  Apple would like to spruce up the place in exchange for 4 million dollars in advertising money (which if Chicago is anything like NYC, is gonna happen anyway).    

A CTA spokeswoman confirmed that the transit authority is in talks with the computer and iPhone behemoth about a deal that could net the cash-strapped CTA as much as $4 million in funding from Apple to pay for an upgrade of the run-down subway station at North and Clybourn, which is adjacent to an Apple retail store now under construction and expected to open next year. In exchange for its millions, Apple would receive first dibs on any and all advertising that eventually goes up at the rehabbed subway stop, which would allow Apple to create what is known as a "station domination" advertising effect at the North and Clybourn station. 

The CTA spokesperson said the deal stopped short of letting the transit authority extend naming rights for the subway stop to Apple.  That might have been awesome.  "Next Stop, Apple!"

Outside the station:

Inside the Station

 

Comments (20)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 8:57am

Next stop, "Little Cupertino"!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 9:02am

That would be a welcome change in that stop. It's probably one of the worst stops on the L.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 10:05am

Yep what a beauty
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=60657&sll=43...

Berend (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 9:22am

He guys,

The upper photo is Bangkok, not Chicago. (Nice system though, the Bangkok Skytrain)

appleuzer (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 12:20pm

It's the only above ground free standing subway stop in Chicago, and unlike london and NYC, this station has been left to deteriorate over the years. I really hope that Apple does the right thing and restores this really lovely station to it's original glory, and not just knock it down and build some contemporary bulls#it. Knowing the CTA, that might very easily happen.

appleuzer (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 12:22pm

It's the only above ground free standing subway stop in Chicago, and unlike london and NYC, this station has been left to deteriorate over the years. I really hope that Apple does the right thing and restores this really lovely station to it's original glory, and not just knock it down and build some contemporary bulls#it. Knowing the CTA, that might very easily happen.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 4:35pm

I am from the Chi and I have to say that I wish they renovated all the underground stops as they are all in terrible shape. My vision: Put a giant class cube there instead of the station. How cool would that be.

Mike___ (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 5:40pm

I live in Chicago too and with the Olympics out of the equation, the El will be left to rot as the city is totally broke. I hope Apple sponsors the entire Chicago Transit Authority and fixes all the decrepid stations and AT&T makes their network available underground on the Red and Blue Lines. And I could care less is every single subway car was splashed with Apple & AT&T advertising.

(And yes, the North & Clybourn station is a sh*thole and the entire underground Red Line from the Loop to Lincoln Park is a mess.)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 27, 2009 - 6:52pm

Come on guys it's not that bad the new brown line stops ( chicago/franklin) are really nice!!

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:00am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of Apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if Apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in Apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a MacBook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:00am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of Apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if Apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in Apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a MacBook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:02am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of Apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if Apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in Apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a MacBook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:02am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of Apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if Apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in Apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a MacBook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:03am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:03am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:04am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:04am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:04am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:04am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )

AK (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 7:04am

I'm all for improving public transportation. As a New Yorker, I hear all of you who are in support of apple coming in to save the day and improve the L. However, if apple (a large, incredibly wealthy corporation) is entitled to a monopoly of advertising space that will be viewed by millions on a daily basis--moreover, an advertising space that continually reminds (nay, manipulates) lay subway riders that this new and improved space was brought to you by APPLE--I foresee a significant spike in apple product converts in the greater Chicago area. To me, one lump $4 million sum doesn't adequately compensate for such excess marketing. Therefore, I do support Apple's takeover of this line, but only if they are required to pay more, and over a larger span of time.

sincerely,
a fellow lover and user of public transport
(all of this, ironically enough, typed from a macbook = )