New Chicago Apple store reportedly having issues with dangling icicles and falling snow chunks

CHICAGO, 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) less CHICAGO, 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 ... more Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close New Chicago Apple store reportedly having issues with dangling icicles and falling snow chunks 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

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.

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"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.