This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian government has launched a review into Federation Square after Heritage Victoria sensationally knocked back controversial plans for global tech giant Apple to build a global flagship store on the site, prompting Apple to abandon its proposal.
Heritage Victoria’s decided the Apple store would be “visually dominant”, and that demolition of the Yarra Building to make way for the store would have “diminished” Federation Square.
A statement from the Minister for Tourism Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula said Apple and the Victorian Government “have acknowledged that based on Heritage Victoria’s decision, the proposed Apple global flagship store cannot proceed”.
In a statement, Apple said it was disappointed and will no longer pursue the project.
“While we are disappointed we’re no longer able to pursue our plan for Federation Square, we remain committed to serving our customers in Melbourne and across Australia.” Apple said.
The National Trust nominated Federation Square to the Victorian Heritage Register in August amid widespread opposition to the plans since their initial reveal at the end of 2017. Heritage Victoria received 3,418 objections from the public. Federation Square’s management went ahead in December with an application for a permit to demolish the Yarra Building.
Apple’s original building plans were dubbed as “Pizza Hut pagoda”, and the two-level pavilion building plans were replaced with a sleeker design comprising an elevated glass rectangular building similar to the white box packaging synonymous with Apple’s products.
Federation Square’s lead architect Donald Bates and Victorian Government architect Jill Garner were involved in the Apple building’s planning. The structure would have taken the place of the architecturally distinctive precinct’s larger, three-level Yarra Building, home to the Koorie Heritage Trust and Italian restaurant Il Pom.
The Victorian government’s review will look at Federation Square’s financial and governance arrangements, and consider ways to deliver more public space, encourage public gatherings and provide better access to the Yarra River, and take advantage of nearby creative and sporting precincts and new transport links.
Public consultation will form part of the review, with Victorians getting a chance to have their say on the precinct’s future.
The review and is expected be completed by the end of 2019.
“Today’s decision, along with the construction of the new Town Hall Station entry and the redevelopment of ACMI provides an opportunity to re-think the future vision of the iconic precinct,” Minister Pakula said.
Garner and former managing partner of Ernst and Young Tim Eddy will jointly chair the review, in consultation with the chair of the Federation Square board.
On announcement of the Apple store plans, the Victorian government said the building would create 500 sqm of new public space and improve access between the Square and the River. It expected an extra two million visitors would visit the 3.2-hectare Square every year, as well as create 250 construction jobs and another 200 ongoing positions. Apple had said the building would be powered entirely by renewable energy.
Australian Property Journal
