Federation Square has been granted heritage protection until late 2018 as a government body deliberates on whether to permanently protect the site, a decision that could prevent an Apple store being added to the precinct.

The order comes after the National Trust of Australia's Victorian branch nominated Federation Square for heritage protection in early August following the state government's plans to build an Apple store on the site, which were released in December 2017.

Apple has released a new design for its Federation Square flagship store (left) after the original design (right). Credit:Federation Square

Under the Heritage Victoria order handed down on Wednesday, no work can begin in most parts of Federation Square until December 21, 2018, without the express permission of Heritage Victoria.

This includes work on the Metro Tunnel rail project.