Melbourne Store Activity Hinted

Federation Square in downtown Melbourne (Australia) is a remarkable, publicly-owned space, with several different types of venues for concerts and other gatherings of up to 20,000 persons. The architecturally-zany buildings encompass a full city block, and include a square, atrium, indoor amphtheater, art and motor racing museum, and hotel. The latter includes a top floor restaurant, which a tipster claims is moving out after Apple took over the space, sparking speculation that it may eventually become a retail store. The high-up location seems an unlikely spot for a retail space. And indeed, tipsters say the location will be office space for Apple, not a retail store. Two spaces have been leased, and a third space is in negotiations. By the time the offices open in May-June 2007, the building itself will be known as the Apple Building, with staffers to support the company’s Australian sales operations.