New Designs Have Been Revealed for Apple's Proposed Federation Square Store
The controversial development is now a two-level rectangular-shaped building heavy on glass, mesh and white surfaces.
Apple is still set to call Melbourne's Federation Square home — and, after first announcing its new store late last year, then being asked to rethink the building's design due to considerable community backlash, the international technology behemoth has unveiled its latest plans.
Gone is the pagoda-style structure that was first revealed in 2017, with the new Apple Global Flagship Store now a two-level rectangular-shaped building heavy on glass, mesh and white surfaces. From above, you could even say it looks like one of the brand's products.
The new design, which has been formally submitted to Victoria's Minister for Planning for consideration, is the result of a series of workshops focusing on refining the original concept drawings. It now includes a publicly accessible second-floor balcony and outdoor shading, as well as the already-slated 500-square-metres of new public space, the Victorian Government announced.
It's also designed to help Federation Square better connect to the Yarra River, opening up space for more cultural events. Apple itself will hold a daily program of free sessions, called Today at Apple, that'll feature local creatives hosting workshops and other tech, design, art and education activities.
In the sustainability stakes, the new roof is capable of using solar power, plus new solar shading will improve the energy efficiency of the building.
And while it definitely looks less like a Pizza Hut, it will still replace the existing Yarra Building — which will be torn down to make way for the Apple store — and displace the Koorie Heritage Trust in the process. It'll also still see public land sold off to a commercial retailer.
The proposed site will be much bigger than Apple's other Melbourne stores, and stand alongside only four other flagship stores around the globe. If it gets the final go-ahead, construction is expected to start in 2019 for a late-2020 opening — forming part of the Victorian Government's revamp of Fed Square, which also includes a new LED big screen, a $36.6 million upgrade of ACMI and a new Melbourne Metro train station.
