This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AFTER a decade-long search, global tech giant Apple has chosen Melbourne’s Federation Square for the site of its first global flagship store in the southern hemisphere.
The new two-level pavilion building will come at the expense of the architecturally distinctive precinct’s larger, three-level Yarra Building, home to the Koorie Heritage Trust and Italian restaurant Il Pom.
The Koorie Heritage Trust will be moved to another space within the 3.2-hectare precinct, despite being barely halfway through a five-year lease. Construction on the new Apple building is expected to begin in 2019 for an opening in 2020.
It has been touted to create 500 sqm of new public space and improve access between the Square and the River. The site’s landlord, the Victorian Government, expects it will attract an extra two million visitors to the Square every year, as well as create 250 construction jobs and another 200 ongoing positions. Apple said the building would be powered entirely by renewable energy.
Federation Square’s lead architect Donald Bates and Victorian Government architect Jill Garner were involved in the planning for the project. The building will have wrap-around glass and balconies for uninterrupted views of the city.
Melbourne City Councillor Rohan Leppert tweeted that the new store “is radically different architecture and converts cultural/civic space to commercial”.
“And despite this being a public centre, the changes to the planning scheme have already been approved without any public process,” he said.
Federation Square’s angular design elements have divided opinion since its construction. The precinct was designed by Lab Architecture Studio consortium, including Donald Bates, and local firm Bates Smart, following an international competition.
As well as for retail use, Apple will use the new site for its “Today at Apple” sessions across a range of arts and app development disciplines.
Federation Square already includes the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the National Gallery of Victoria.
“The development of the site, and the anticipated increase in visitor numbers, will reinvigorate Federation Square allowing us to embark on a program of growth and regeneration – after a successful first fifteen years it is now time to ensure Federation Square is equipped to welcome more visitors, host more meaningful civic and cultural events, and deliver an enhanced visitor experience,” Federation Square chief executive officer, Jonathan Tribe said.
“Apple’s Global Flagship Store is an ideal fit with Federation Square’s civic and cultural charter which calls for ‘innovation and creativity in all forms of cultural expression’ as well as activities that attract national and international visitors,” Tribe said.
Apple has three existing stores in Melbourne, at Chadstone – where it just opened a heavily expanded version of its original store –Highpoint in Maribyrnong, and Westfield Doncaster.
It has been rumoured to be looking at several sites throughout Melbourne’s CBD for more than 10 years, including the Emporium Melbourne mall, Emirates House at 257 Collins Street, and the revamped St Collins Lane shopping centre. Federation Square emerged publicly as a major candidate for the site late last year.
The new building will be just the sixth of its type, and the second outside of the US alongside Apple’s Milan store.
“We’re thrilled to move forward in the planning process for our new home in Melbourne’s Federation Square and would be honoured to call the world-class galleries and museums of Melbourne our neighbours,” Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president, retail, said.
“Apple Federation Square respects the original vision for the plaza, with a bespoke design concept and extensive landscaping bringing increased opportunities for the community to enjoy this renowned cultural hub.” Ahrendts said.
Australian Property Journal
