Residents are outraged after the Victorian state government approved a plan to demolish a building in the city’s award-winning Federation Square – and build an Apple store in its place.
The Federation Square group announced on Wednesday they were tearing down the Yarra building and replacing it with a Global Flagship Store for the tech giants, the only of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Yarra building includes the Koori Heritage Trust, a group that promotes Aboriginal rights and celebrates their culture.
‘We’re thrilled that Apple has chosen Melbourne and Federation Square for their new Global Flagship Store. We look forward to welcoming them as we continue to grow Federation Square as an innovative and exciting place for our community,’ they said in a statement.
The decision, however, has stunned and angered residents who labelled it ‘disgraceful’ and accused the group of ‘selling out’.
‘I will do anything and everything to stop this activity of Apple ripping apart Federation Square for their commercial benefit,’ one incensed caller said to 3AW.
‘I think it’s the most appalling and disgraceful thing I have heard of in respect to a major public site. I will go to jail to stop this.’
Residents are outraged after the Victorian state government approved a plan to demolish a building in the city’s award-winning Federation Square – and build an Apple store in its place
The group unveiled the design of the Flagship Store, a large hut-like building fitted with big glass windows
The group unveiled the design of the Flagship Store, a large hut-like building fitted with big glass windows.
‘This isn’t just any regular Apple shop – as a Global Flagship Store and Apple’s most significant store in the Southern Hemisphere, the space will host workshops, classes, and live music events,’ they said.
‘The project will create nearly 500 square metres of new public space in Federation Square and connect Federation Square with the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr through the construction of a building which takes up less space than the current Yarra building it will replace.’
The Federation Square group announced on Wednesday they were tearing down the Yarra building and replacing it with a Global Flagship Store for the tech giants, the only of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere
The Yarra building includes the Koorie Heritage Trust, a group that promotes Aboriginal rights and celebrates their culture
Melburnians were much less receptive of the plans, nicknaming the site ‘Apple Square’.
‘Fed square is an escape within the city, don’t put big commercial shops in it,’ one person said.
‘Seriously? You’re getting rid of the Koorie Heritage building to replace it with a commercial retail building? That’s just disgraceful,’ another Twitter user replied.
‘Corporate sellout of one of the city’s few icons. Looks pretty ugly too if that’s the real drawings. Very disappointing,’ a person said commenting on the design of the building.
The decision, however, has stunned and angered residents who labelled it ‘disgraceful’ and accused the group of ‘selling out’
‘Seriously? You’re getting rid of the Koorie Heritage building to replace it with a commercial retail building? That’s just disgraceful,’ another Twitter user replied
Melburnians were much less receptive of the plans, nicknaming the site ‘Apple Square’
The decision, however, has stunned and angered residents who labelled it ‘disgraceful’
The Federation Square site was opened in 2002, becoming Melbourne’s first public square. It is opposite Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral in the heart of the CBD.
It’s unique design has won awards and is home to cultural landmarks including the National Gallery of Victoria.
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Federation Square said they were ‘pleased’ to be welcoming Apple to the area and said the Aboriginal awareness group
‘Agreement has been reached to relocate the Koorie Heritage Trust to the Alfred Deakin Building where they will have 50 percent more floor space and their existing lease terms will be maintained,’ the statement reads.
‘This is particularly important given that the Trust have said they are outgrowing their current location.’