Melbourne’s Federation Square voted one of the world’s best public squares

MELBOURNE’S Federation Square has won high praise as one of the world’s top squares, voted even better than its much more famous cousin Times Square in New York.

Architecture - Federation Square in Melbourne designed by Lab architecture studio and Bates Smart 19 Jun 2006. /Architecture /Melbourne

LOVE it or loathe it, Melbourne’s Federation Square has won high praise as one of the world’s top squares.

Fed Square came in sixth, between Red Square in Russia and St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Landscape Architects Network’s top 10 public squares.

“This modern square was opened in 2002 to much controversy,” the network noted.

“Often voted one of the ugliest places due to the deconstructivist style of the buildings, the square has come to be very successful. Why so? Well, with a constant stream of entertainment, dining and free Wi-Fi, it’s always busy with people.”

Federation Square’s atrium in Melbourne.

Fed Square at night, as seen from the Yarra River.

The “pat on the back” for Fed Square probably won’t convince many Melburnians though.

In 2012, soon after Virtual Tourist named our square in the world’s top 10 ugliest buildings, the Herald Sun asked readers what they thought.

Here’s a very small sample: “Hideous ... the only reason I show visitors is to laugh at how ugly it is!”

“It’s almost like they said ‘let’s build the ugliest thing possible and then paint it the most disgusting shade of pale green imaginable!”

“It has the face only a mother could love”.

And finally: “You Ugly!”

The Landscape Architect Network has a growing social media presence, with more than 700,000 fans on its Facebook page.

The network aims to champion landscape architecture across the world through publishing and other promotions.

BEST IN THE WORLD

1. Naghsh-e Jahaan Square, Isfahan, Iran

2. Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy

3. Red Square, Moscow, Russia

4. Trafalgar Square, London

5. St Peter’s Square, Vatican City

6. Federation Square, Melbourne

7. Rynek Główny, Kraków, Poland

8. Plaza de Armas, Cuzco, Peru

9. Times Square, New York

10. Tahrir Square, Cairo

Red Square, Moscow, came in at number 3 on the list.

Trafalgar Square on a good day. The London landmark came in at number 4. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

St Peter’s Square, Rome, was fifth on the list.