YRBA backs Apple store

The Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) has thrown its support behind Federation Square’s bid to replace its Yarra Building with an Apple global flagship store.

The board last month voted to submit a response to Heritage Victoria to support the proposal based on its tourism and business benefits to the precinct. It also supports the proposal’s plan to open the square more actively to the river.

YRBA president John Forman said he believed it was a glaring oversight in 2002 that Federation Square didn’t synergise with the river and that a big opportunity had been missed for nearly 20 years.

“The Apple proposal will help to cement Federation Square’s position as a riverside entity and will boost the river’s integration with the CBD,” Mr Forman said.

A statement from the YRBA said that the board acknowledged that the Yarra Building was originally intended to be the most commercial section of Federation Square’s footprint and that the Apple store was in line with the architect’s vision.