The first official Apple Singapore store is expected to open in time for Christmas, with construction scheduled to finish on October 31.

The store will be the Cupertino tech giant’s first company-owned shop in Southeast Asia, taking prime position on Orchard Rd in the Knightsbridge mall, next to the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship.

Signage at the construction site – pictured above – states the work is expected to be completed by the end of October. Given a further three to four weeks for stocking and staff training, Singaporeans should expect to be able to shop there by Christmas.

The Apple Singapore store will feature the latest generation of the company’s store design, led by former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts.

It will be at least two storeys high and feature Genius bar for customer training and help, and precincts for computers, phones, watches, accessories and iPods.

As is typical when Apple enters new markets, it releases little information until just days before the opening. The company has declined to reveal its target opening date – but it is actively advertising for applications for mid-rank store positions.

Apple is replacing high-profile tenants of the Knightsbridge mall, including Pure Fitness, Tommy Hilfiger, Brooks Brothers and Topshop.