The Apple Store That Never Was

[MacRumors]

In 2019, Apple canceled plans to open a flagship store at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, due to public opposition. Specifically, many local residents were upset about Apple's plan to demolish the existing Yarra Building on the site, in order to make room for the new store. The local heritage authority Heritage Victoria ultimately decided that the building could not be torn down due to its cultural significance.

Six years later, graphic designer Filip Chudzinski has envisioned what Apple Federation Square could have looked like, based on a design proposal by architectural firm Foster + Partners. Given the proposal is now outdated, Chudzinski added in some modern touches, such as an Apple Pickup station for customers to collect online orders.

Chudzinski created more than two dozen beautiful 3D renders of the Apple Federation Square store that never was, offering a closer look at its multi-level pavilion design. The impressive store would have overlooked the nearby Yarra River.

Chudzinski has an Instagram account dedicated to Apple retail. He also created the Bandbreite app, which catalogs Apple Watch bands.

Article Link: The Apple Store That Never Was

 

[jz0309]

Six years later, graphic designer Filip Chudzinski has envisioned what Apple Federation Square could have looked like, based on a design proposal by architectural firm Foster + Partners.

really, is this guy bored? why do we care about this?

 

[Blackstick]

Pretty nice renderings. Has a Stahl house vibe.

 

[headlessmike]

A similar story played out in Stockholm, Sweden a few years ago where Apple bought the most prime of locations in the city center but ultimately were stopped from replacing the TGI Friday’s that was there with an Apple Store

 

[sw1tcher]

really, is this guy bored? why do we care about this?

Hobby
noun
- an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

 

[Whats-a-computer?]

Great work. I also love the Bandbreite App!

 

[Nick_Australia]

I’m a Melbourne, Australia resident. It would’ve been so cool to have an Apple Store in this location. Such a shame it didn’t come to fruition. We still don’t have a flagship Apple Store in our city centre.

 

[mitty]

And still no Apple Store in the CBD of Melbourne, if you need to go to the Apple Store you have to travel out to one of the Shopping Centre/Mall stores. There have been numerous opportunities for a store elsewhere in the CBD besides Federation Square but for whatever reason Apple hasn't pulled the trigger.

 

[awshucks]

Cheese Grater Apple Store

 

[kingtj1971]

What does the Yarra building look like though? Without seeing photos of it, I don't think we can judge whether or not preserving it was a good call?

 

[awshucks]

What does the Yarra building look like though? Without seeing photos of it, I don't think we can judge whether or not preserving it was a good call?

 

[dotproto]

What does the Yarra building look like though? Without seeing photos of it, I don't think we can judge whether or not preserving it was a good call?

Are you a member of that community? If not, it’s not really your call to make.

 

[swishyfresh]

really, is this guy bored? why do we care about this?

And what if he is, are you generally opposed to being bored? or is it just other people being bored?

Ever heard of Art?

 

[coffeemilktea]

I imagine there's probably a genuinely nice building hidden under that collection of PS1-era polygons 🤔

(maybe it would have looked better as an Apple Store though...?)

 

[swishyfresh]

Are you a member of that community? If not, it’s not really your call to make.

Watch out! Opinion Police Alert 👮🚨

 

[benface]

This thread is already horrible haha

 

[CausticSoda]

It definitely wasn't the nicest thing I saw when I visited Melbourne last Christmas, although I do remember having some good craft beers at a bar either inside the building or right next to it.

 

[Tar Sniffer]

The original design was so much better.

The Apple Store actually would have enhanced the area as it opened up views of the Yarra and botanical gardens. Also the destruction of Federation Square is a net positive for architecture and good taste.

 

[JitteryJimmy]

I live in a place where we have a lot of historic things. Tearing things down to build new seems counter to the community spirit. I too have fought against such destruction.

But rest assured, preserving poor, unwanted buildings is no way to sustain a community. It's a way to kill it.

 

[Junior117]

I'm surprised Apple never thought of just restoring the building to its former glory and re-touched it with their Apple flair like they've done with other Apple Stores (like the various buildings in Europe where Apple operates a store and they still restore the building to what it once was).

 

[canadianreader]

What an ugly building when I read the article I was like yeah it's good they're fighting to preserve historical buildings but never thought it would be this ugly

 

[Marty80]

I am from Melbourne, and know that Federation square is a land mark. It is for the best that the store construction did not go ahead. I am sure that there are other suitable sites around the CBD for Apple to get there grubby hands on.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

They didn't want a monument of corporate might and dominance taking up the scenery? You don't say.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Stories of this kind also seem to flush out the instant architecture critics and historians. But suffice it to say, it is entirely up to Australians to determine what is culturally significant to Australia. And if it is of any interest, the proposed demolition of the Yarra Building (built in 2000) wasn't the only concern that halted the Apple Store construction; it was the question of impacts on the entire Federation Square, which is what was argued to be culturally significant. Finally, Apple could have built a store elsewhere in Melbourne, but so far has chosen not to do so.

 

[vinesy]

Are you a member of that community? If not, it’s not really your call to make.

I am from Melbourne, and know that Federation square is a land mark. It is for the best that the store construction did not go ahead. I am sure that there are other suitable sites around the CBD for Apple to get there grubby hands on.

I too was born in Melbourne and lived most of my life there. And I remember in the late 90s when Fed square was redeveloped and the furore over how much of an ugly postmodern eyesore it was. Hilarious that 25 years later it's "heritage."

(I will admit that the Yarra building is more interesting than the old gas and fuel office block).

And lol, Melbourne still hasn't enabled Apple transit tap-on in their public transport system. (Android works, however).