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Apple's 'toasted sandwich' store in Melbourne to be replaced by boxy design

Melbourne's proposed flagship Apple store has gained solar panels, and creates more public space.
Written by Chris Duckett, Contributor

New designs for Apple's Federation Square flagship store were released on Friday, spelling the end of Cupertino's original design that bore a striking resemblance to the humble toasted sandwich.

The new rectangular design will now have solar panels, include a "solar shading design feature" that improves efficiency of the building, return more than 500 square metres of public space, and provide better access to the Yarra River from Federation Square.

"This is more than just a store, it is a community activation space that will host arts, cultural, tech, and music events complementing the original charter of Fed Square," said Victoria Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren.

Federation Square CEO Jonathan Tribe claimed that the silvery cathedral of Cupertino-focused consumption highlighted Melbourne's "pre-eminence as a centre for creativity and innovation".

In January last year, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews dismissed concerns over the demolition of several existing buildings to make way for the store, with over 50,000 people signing a petition against the plan.

"Not everybody agrees with this, but would people have really preferred us to have said 'no, absolutely not, go and put your iconic Apple store up in Sydney?'" he said at the time.

Sydney has had its glass box Apple store for over a decade.

The Victorian government said it will consult with Melbourne City Council, the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, and Federation Square before approving the new design.

The Federation Square Apple store is expected to open in late 2020.

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(Image: Federation Square)

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