Last year at this time we reported that Microsoft had confirmed its prime New York location for a retail store near Apple's famous Glass Cube Store. Today Microsoft announced that its Manhattan flagship store will open its doors on Fifth Avenue next month, showcasing its technology on one of the city's most expensive retail corridors.

The five-level store at 677 Fifth Ave. will open at noon on Oct. 26, according to a company blog post that also announced the opening date of a second flagship store in Sydney, Australia at Westfield Sydney on Pitt Street Mall on Nov. 12.

The five-floor, 22,269 square foot location will be a premier venue to learn about, experience and shop for the products and services from Microsoft and our partners. Our store associate team comes from New York City's distinct and diverse five boroughs as well as surrounding areas, and speak more than 19 languages. Below is an artist's rendering of the new store.

There was a rumor about Apple closing their Fifth Avenue Store for renovations back in June, but the original Associated Press report has since been yanked. Whether a part or the entire story was wrong is unknown at this time.

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