Apple Global Flagship Federation Square

A proposed Apple global flagship in Melbourne’s Federation Square has ignited debate over the commercialisation (and Americanisation) of public space.

In December 2017, Apple and The Victorian Government announced plans for the store, designed by UK Architects Foster + Partners, to be situated on the current site of the Yarra Building, over looking the Yarra River. Approval of the plan was granted to Apple by Planning Minister Richard Wynne, however this happened without any public involvement or comment.

Vanessa Bird, president of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, argues that a detailed masterplan is sorely needed to ensure proposed changes to Melbourne’s Federation Square are successful. “Without due process we can’t conclude that we have achieved the right solution.”

Additionally, a grass roots organisation, Citizens for Melbourne, has formed and launched the Our City Our Square campaign, which “demands Fed Square remains Melbourne’s civic square, preventing its corporatisation by Apple.”

The public debate looks to continue in the coming weeks. A motion to block the development will be tabled by the Victorian Greens in late February, with the support of City of Melbourne Council.

To read Vanessa’s discourse in full, on ArchitertureAU click here, or to keep up with the work of Our City Our Square click here.