The Apple Store That Never Was - MacRumors
Skip to Content

The Apple Store That Never Was

In 2019, Apple canceled plans to open a flagship store at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, due to public opposition. Specifically, many local residents were upset about Apple's plan to demolish the existing Yarra Building on the site, in order to make room for the new store. The local heritage authority Heritage Victoria ultimately decided that the building could not be torn down due to its cultural significance.

Apple Federation Square 1
Six years later, graphic designer Filip Chudzinski has envisioned what Apple Federation Square could have looked like, based on a design proposal by architectural firm Foster + Partners. Given the proposal is now outdated, Chudzinski added in some modern touches, such as an Apple Pickup station for customers to collect online orders.

Chudzinski created more than two dozen beautiful 3D renders of the Apple Federation Square store that never was, offering a closer look at its multi-level pavilion design. The impressive store would have overlooked the nearby Yarra River.

Apple Federation Square 2Apple Federation Square 3Apple Federation Square 4Apple Federation Square 6Apple Federation Square 5
Chudzinski has an Instagram account dedicated to Apple retail. He also created the Bandbreite app, which catalogs Apple Watch bands.

Popular Stories

Apple Park Visitor Center

Apple Park Visitor Center Has 'Update in Progress'

Wednesday July 22, 2026 5:49 am PDT by
There is an "update in progress" at the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California, according to a new notice posted on Apple's website. The building remains open to the public while the work is completed, but the area housing a 3D augmented reality model of Apple Park is temporarily closed. "Please pardon our appearance while we improve our store," says Apple. "During this time,...
Apple Store App Liquid Glass Feature

Apple Store App Getting AI Shopping Assistant

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:25 pm PDT by
Apple's privacy policy for the Apple Store app suggests it will soon get a virtual shopping assistant to help users decide what to purchase. The app will have a chat interface where users can ask questions about Apple products, with Apple using data like account information, device identifiers, chat information, carrier information, and location data to offer a personalized experience....
Apple Store Logo

New Apple Store Reportedly Opening in Idaho

Wednesday August 19, 2026 12:46 pm PDT by
Apple plans to open a new 10,000-square-foot store at The Village at Meridian, an outdoor shopping complex near Boise, Idaho, according to building permits reviewed by BoiseDev. Apple is aiming to open the store in time for the iPhone 18 Pro launch this September, a tipster claimed. The company's only other store in Idaho is located at the Boise Towne Square shopping...

Top Rated Comments

canadianreader Avatar
18 months ago


What an ugly building when I read the article I was like yeah it's good they're fighting to preserve historical buildings but never thought it would be this ugly
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
18 months ago

really, is this guy bored? why do we care about this?
Hobby
noun
- an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
18 months ago

Are you a member of that community? If not, it’s not really your call to make.
Watch out! Opinion Police Alert 👮🚨
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
awshucks Avatar
18 months ago

What does the Yarra building look like though? Without seeing photos of it, I don't think we can judge whether or not preserving it was a good call?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
18 months ago
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
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
18 months ago
I’m a Melbourne, Australia resident. It would’ve been so cool to have an Apple Store in this location. Such a shame it didn’t come to fruition. We still don’t have a flagship Apple Store in our city centre.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)