Honestly, walking into the mall in McLean, you might think it’s just another glass-fronted shop. It’s not. Apple Tysons Corner is the genesis point of a retail empire that basically redefined how we buy electronics. It opened on May 19, 2001. That morning, Steve Jobs himself stood in front of the cameras, wearing his signature black mock turtleneck, explaining why Apple needed its own stores. Most people thought he was crazy. Gateway was failing at retail, and experts predicted Apple would be out of the mall business within two years. They were wrong.
The 2023 Move: A New Space for a Classic Store
In May 2023, exactly 22 years after that first opening, the store did something it had never done before. It moved. Not far—just down the hall to a larger spot between Nespresso and Victoria’s Secret on the second level of Tysons Corner Center.
The "new" Apple Tysons Corner is about three times larger than the original footprint. If you visited the old one, you probably remember how cramped it felt during an iPhone launch. It was a shoebox. Now, it’s an expansive hall. The design is part of a newer aesthetic Apple is rolling out globally, focusing heavily on universal design and sustainable materials.
What Changed Inside?
The most nostalgic part of the move? The Genius Bar. For a few years, Apple had moved toward a "roaming" genius model where you’d just sit at any table. People hated it. It felt chaotic. At the new Apple Tysons Corner, they brought back the physical bar. It’s located in the back right corner, exactly where it sat in the 2001 layout. It’s a nice nod to history.
👉 See also: iOS 26 Explained: Why Liquid Glass Is Making Everyone Nervous
There are also physical alcoves now. These "Avenues" are themed areas for things like iPhone cases or MagSafe accessories. Instead of just being shelves, they’re integrated into the walls with wooden finishes. It feels less like a sterile lab and more like a high-end library.
Why Tysons Corner Was "Store No. 001"
There is a bit of a nerd debate about whether this is truly the first store. Technically, Apple opened two stores on the same day in 2001: Tysons Corner in Virginia and Glendale Galleria in California. Because of the time zone difference, the Virginia store opened its doors three hours earlier.
Internally, Apple refers to Tysons as store 010. Glendale is 001. Why? Because Glendale was the first one they signed a lease for, but Tysons was the first to actually welcome a customer. If you’re a local, you claim the "first" title. It’s a point of pride in Northern Virginia.
Sustainability and Accessibility Features
The 2023 redesign wasn't just about more floor space. Apple used the Apple Tysons Corner relocation to pilot several inclusive design elements.
- Acoustic Ceilings: The baffles on the ceiling are designed to soak up sound. If you’ve ever been in a crowded mall store, you know it can get deafening. This makes it easier for people with hearing aids to communicate with staff.
- Variable-Height Counters: There are dedicated sections of the Genius Bar and the "Today at Apple" tables that are lower for wheelchair users.
- Plant-Based Materials: The flooring is made from a bio-resin material, and the walls use FSC-certified timber.
The store employs over 100 people, some of whom have actually been there since the early 2000s. That’s rare in retail.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
If you're heading to Apple Tysons Corner, don't just put "Tysons Corner Center" into your GPS and hope for the best. The mall is massive.
The store is located at 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA 22102.
✨ Don't miss: Apple Studio Display: Why Most People Still Get It Wrong
Best Parking and Access
The closest parking is in Garage E or Garage C. If you park in the garage near the AMC Theatres, you’re going to be walking for ten minutes. Use the entrance near the Nordstrom or the Hyatt Regency.
Pro Tip: If you're coming by Metro, take the Silver Line to the Tysons Corner station. The pedestrian bridge drops you right into the mall. The Apple Store is on the second floor, so you won't have to wander between levels for long.
Current Hours (Check before you go)
- Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Honestly, if you need the Genius Bar, don't just walk in. The "Genius" name implies they're fast, but without an appointment, you'll be sitting on a wooden stool for an hour. Use the Apple Support app to book a slot.
What People Get Wrong About This Location
People often think this is a "Flagship" store like the glass cube on 5th Avenue in NYC or the Carnegie Library store in DC. It’s not. It’s a "Mall Store."
While it’s historically significant, it doesn’t have a giant outdoor plaza or a multi-story glass staircase. It’s designed to be efficient. It’s a workhorse store. You go here because you live in Fairfax or Arlington and your screen cracked, not necessarily for the architecture.
However, the "Today at Apple" sessions here are some of the best in the region. Because it’s a high-profile location, they often get better guest speakers for their photography and coding workshops than the smaller satellite stores in Reston or Pentagon City.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Book the Genius Bar Early: Slots for the weekend usually fill up by Wednesday. If you have a hardware issue, don't wing it.
- Use Trade-In In-Person: While you can mail your old phone back to Apple, doing it at Tysons Corner ensures you get the credit immediately toward a new purchase without worrying about the mail-in kit getting lost.
- Check the "Today at Apple" Calendar: If you have kids, the "Apple Camp" sessions here are great. They’re free, and they actually teach things like movie making in iMovie.
- Visit the History: If you're a tech nerd, look at the Genius Bar. Even though the store moved, they kept the layout of the bar almost identical to how it looked when Steve Jobs stood there in 2001.
Apple Tysons Corner isn't just a place to spend $1,000 on a phone. It’s a landmark. It’s the spot where the modern retail experience began. Whether you love the brand or hate the "Apple Tax," you can't deny that this specific location changed how every other store in that mall looks today.