Apple set for city's core

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This was published 12 years ago

Apple set for city's core

By Georgia Waters

Brisbane looks to be close to getting its first Apple store in the central business district, with the tech retail giant posting job openings for a new inner-city store.

It is understood the store will open on the site of the former Dymocks bookstore in the historic Macarthur Chambers building, part of the Macarthur Central complex on the corner of Edward and Queen streets.

The Macarthur Chambers space was formerly host to a Dymock's bookstore.

The Macarthur Chambers space was formerly host to a Dymock's bookstore.

Last April, plans were submitted to Brisbane City Council for a large three-level shop in the heritage building, which was constructed in the early 1930s.

Those plans, which don't mention Apple by name, were approved by the council in June and discount bookseller Bookstars closed its temporary outlet in the space that month.


Plans for the store's Queen Street frontage submitted to Brisbane City Council include space for an illuminated sign above the front doors.

The Macarthur Central space would be the third Apple store for Queensland, with outlets at Westfield Chermside in Brisbane at Robina Town Centre on the Gold Coast.

On Apple’s Australian jobs website, there are currently positions open at Chermside and Robina, as well as the Brisbane CBD.

The website is also advertising ‘'new stores, new opportunities'’ for Brisbane and Sydney.

A request for comment to Apple was unanswered. The retailer is known for being tight-lipped about new stores, with announcements generally made only shortly before openings.

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Apple discussion forum mactalk.com.au has this month been swirling with rumours, with one poster reporting the new store was due to open in March.

Macarthur Central is owned by private investment company Precision Group, which was contacted for comment.


Apple's Glasgow store draws similarities to the plans submitted to Brisbane City Council.

According to the plans submitted to the council, the fit-out of the store, by Geyer Architects, will include the removal of interior escalators, to be replaced by a large staircase.

On the Queen Street frontage, the plans include space for a square ''internally illuminated store signage'' over the existing heavy bronze doors, which are to be restored, along with the building's bronze windows.

While Apple's stores are known for their minimalism, characterised by the use of glass and a white-on-white colour scheme, it's not the first time they've fused this aesthetic with an historic building, having done so previously in cities such as London, Paris, Glasgow and Bologna.

Apple has more than 300 stores worldwide, including 13 in Australia.

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