Knocking down a building that only opened in 2002? I mean the whole complex is an eyesore, but seriously they’re just going to demolish this building where the paint is barely dry, so Apple can sell some more ipads?
3 Likes
Although the new plan opens up Federation Square to the Yarra, I am not sure if it is a good idea to have a public space commercialised. Also, there is an existing Apple authorised outlet (My Mac) on Flinders Street opposite Federation Square. Will it be forced to close when the new Apple concept store opens?
1 Like
Apple likely won’t force it to close (i.e. pull their ‘authorised reseller’ status), but they will probably lose the vast majority of their business. I believe that MyMac continued to exist in Sydney for a while after the George Street Apple Store opened, but they closed down after a massive loss in their business.
The only holes in Apple’s retail coverage in metropolitan areas in Australia are central Melbourne and Hobart, which is conveniently where MyMac’s remaining stores are. I think south-west Sydney, Wollongong and Geelong are probably the next target areas for Apple to open up in.
1 Like
Better than I expected design wise. Could have been much, much worse (some of the rumours I heard indicated demolishing a lot more than just that building) but I’m sure it’ll cause some protests.
1 Like
It’s actually a reality already… during summer they frequently have beach chairs and similar around Fed Square.
Definitely can expect a lot of protest, especially because there was no consulatation with the public.
At least it’s visually appealing to a certain extent unlike the other monstrosities that rise above in the Square.
1 Like
Is this part of the redevelopment of Federation Square that has been planned or is this something different?
1 Like
Part of the renos. Fed Square is technically owned by a private company which is teetering on bankruptcy, so not surprised.
1 Like
i can see at least one more brisbane store on the southside. I’m actully suiprised they didn’t move into garden city when they had the redevlopment a while ago as this gives the south a store that also is close enough to serve the northern gold coast.
There’s a big Apple Store at Carindale though, which is not too much further from the GC than Garden City. Mind you, Mount Gravatt is along the M1 so an Apple Store there makes a lot of sense.
Hundreds lol. Pretty sad compared to the real Boxing Day sales in the past.
It was as chaotic as usual by midday though. I guess that allowing the suburban shopping centres to trade on Boxing Day this year meant that many usual city shoppers went elsewhere.
1 Like
Like the post-Christmas sales of 25 years ago (see the 1st reports in the clips below), maybe?
Those scenes are quite an eye opener - more like something you’d expect in America rather than Australia! 
2 Likes
I never knew that Ten News was presented from the Southern Cross Tas news set at one stage!
4 Likes
Thank goodness for Internet shopping.
1 Like
I’m amazed it took so long for NSW to permit Boxing Day trade outside of the CBD (IIRC SA is the only state left that stores cannot trade on Boxing Day). Quite interesting that such a noticeable change has appeared in the first year it’s allowed when it comes to the CBD crowds.
Come 2pm in the Sydney CBD, it was absolutely fucking ridiculous. There were humongous queues to get into Myer via the Pitt Street entrance and MASSIVE lines out of designer clothing stores in Westfield Sydney (which didn’t even have boxing day specials!!!)
There were security guards standing at every single escalator (seriously, there would have been 12-15 guards just on escalator duty) in Myer ensuring that there were no stampedes at the bottom of the escalator).
DJ’s was a bit more quiet, but definitely extremely busy. I’d say that the first two floors were as busy as Myer, but the rest of the store was not as busy.
Westfield Sydney was a joke. I exited ASAP after entering from Pitt Street because of the absolutely shocking amount of people inside. The design of the centre is already claustrophobic with low ceilings and cramped corridors (owing to the CBD location), but with thousands of people inside with no room to move I just couldn’t handle it.
Plus there was this.
The sight of it was hilarious. These vehicle barricades, concrete bollards and various temporary pedestrian barriers that they’ve put up in the CBD recently are fantastic - they also double as seating and as a result, there is SO MUCH seating available almost everywhere in the shopping precinct, which is awesome because I hate the typical lack of seating in shopping areas (designed to ensure you keep shopping).
So I guess the terrorists have actually contributed to actually making the city nicer.
6 Likes
Yes, I thought it was odd that they chose to leave the semi trailers that carried the concrete bollards sitting around. I bet the owners wouldn’t be happy to see everyone sitting on them especially if any damage is caused.
1 Like
The truck driver was actually sitting in the truck while all this was going on, so I can only assume he was quite happy for the people to sit on the trailer.
I don’t understand how people can shop on Boxing Day and the days after Christmas. Like how have energy or money? It takes about a week for me to get over Christmas haha
I also find it amusing how people shop like crazy a before a public holiday, when stops are closed only for a day (ie: Christmas Day). It’s not the end of the world
1 Like