My first reaction to the photo of the Yarra Building was that it looked a bit off, but I think that’s mostly because of the clutter—like the umbrellas, benches and cables. In person, I imagine it feels more layered and interesting, with a kind of character that the sleek, minimalist style of Apple’s architecture just doesn’t capture.
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The Apple Store That Never Was
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It was built in 2000 and is rated one of the ugliest buildings in the world. knock it down.
It does not. It is exactly as ugly in real life as your first impression from the picture. It is cold and sterile, full of harsh angles, cold stone and metal and ugly cables everywhere. It is not a pleasant place to spend any time.
The Apple store wouldn't have improved that at all and it's a shame because Fed Square is in a prime location in the city. Apple should have pitched to build a colonial aesthetic sandstone building to mimic the renovation they did on Brisbane's Apple store in the MacArthur building.
Melbournian here.
Fed square is such a **** spot to put it anyway.
They should've put it in the GPO building; which is now a H&M
Fed square is such a **** spot to put it anyway.
They should've put it in the GPO building; which is now a H&M
The location is aweful! Nobody should have a right to destroy Fed Square with a thumping big McDonald's, Apple Store or 7/11! Thank goodness calmer heads prevailed.
If Apple wanted a CBD location, there are about 2000 vacant shops in the heart of Melbourne! They clearly don't.
Totally agree - it's a public square that often hosts large (and very crowded) events, not the best place for a store. It's still surprising that Apple hasn't found another location within the Melbourne CBD, considering it doesn't currently have a store there.
I disagree. I can see why the community living there objected to a consumer temple brought in from abroad. The still standing Yarra building is in architectural sync with the other buildings on the Federation Square while Apple’s glass bunker would have broken it.
Yet federation square is not in architectural sync with the surrounding heritage buildings (Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral). The proposed design would return some order to the area and soften the appearance of that chaotic mess.
The Yarra Building received the strongest heritage protections after only 19 years of existence yet actual historical buildings are being destroyed across Melbourne to make way for the 15 minute cities.
The Yarra Building received the strongest heritage protections after only 19 years of existence yet actual historical buildings are being destroyed across Melbourne to make way for the 15 minute cities.
Yep it's just an excuse really. There's no shortage of other very viable locations.
For instance, they could have put it at the old DJ mens building on bourke street; which is currently being redeveloped.
Or the st collins lane building which isn't even that old; right opposite the tiffany & co.
Both make far more sense as they're right in the heart of the retail district. But instead they get hung up on fed square, which is a cultural landmark not a retail spot 🤷♂️
It’s honestly not so much the building, which is a bit weird, but also house is a pub. It’s more about what’s not showing in the render which is the surrounding area. The pictured design while pretty in this story and really awesome job/hobby, doesn’t show the social space that exists in Federation Square and how, Apple Store just wouldn’t work there considering how people use the space. Its context in the renders is literally nothingness and a glass like river. There’s often festivals, protests, concerts, hanging out on the weekends, that just doesn’t vibe with any Apple Store I’ve seen in Central locations around the world. It’s not the building that wasn’t a fit. It’s the purpose of the space. Social context. Also peeps in Melbourne like to feel independent and not beholden to big companies…as they make their art on Macs. But a big logo in a pretty important public space was probably not helping.
-Lived in Melbourne for over a decade now, loved apple for more than twice that
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I honestly don't really know why anyone wants an Apple Store nearby.
It's not a restaurant or a cafe or place that's enjoyable to routinely hang out and everything inside is overpriced.
Just for service calls I guess?
It's not a restaurant or a cafe or place that's enjoyable to routinely hang out and everything inside is overpriced.
Just for service calls I guess?
This was a tone-deaf proposal by Apple and opposed by the majority of Melbourne residents including Apple fans like me. It is utter crap that there is no CBD Apple Store in Melbourne as there are many suitable locations. Are Apple so miffed by their rejection that they are taking it out on their customers?
Totally tragic that H&M have that building. It was wonderful as an arcade before they filled it with their cheap crap clothes. Apple would have fitted in perfectly.
Being covered on Apple news sites is free publicity for him and his work. This was a great idea to do.
They still need one in the Melbourne CBD. NIMBYs really annoy me.
You know you’re getting old when something built in 2000 is considered “historical” 😂😂
Some of the Apple stores around the world are unique and not in any kind of mall. Think this would have been one of them.
The Yarra Building is home the the Koorie Heritage Trust, which collects Indigenous cultural material and makes them accessible to the Indigenous community.
Also as a Melbournian my view is that it would have likely given much more life to Fed Square, which for the most part feels like a scattered dead space that doesn’t have any aim or focus.
Glad the Gas And Fuel towers are gone, but I do kinda miss the grungy fun that was the Princess Bridge station that used to be under them.
I really disagree. Fed Square is aimless and scattered, and feels dead. It feels deader than the city square that used to be on Swanston street - at least that had a great water wall. At least the Apple Store would have given it some aim or focus point that would bring genuine levels of passing traffic.
That's the general beleif, yep. Also the common belief is that myki isn't available on iphones because apple are petty over the fed square location. Whether or not it's actually true, who knows. But that's the rumour.
Yep, though the upper floors still house some boutiques, but yes I always found it a bit tacky that it became a H&M.
Nothing says ‘National Heritage’ like TGI Friday's.
The Chicago store overlooking the river with the Air lid roof is one that is unique while fitting in.
@choreographics this is sick! I'm off the socials, so i don't get to see your other amazing work too often. Keep it up man!