An online petition demanding the Andrews government dump a plan to let Apple tear down a building at Federation Square to build a "flagship" store has topped 16,000 signatures Monday morning, less than a week after the development's announcement.

And three associations representing architects, planners and landscape designers have written to Planning Minister Richard Wynne, objecting to the lack of transparency surrounding his approval for the Apple store.

On Wednesday, Tourism Minister John Eren told reporters: "Our Christmases have come all at once – Apple have decided to build their global flagship store right here in Melbourne at the famous Fed Square."

No detail of the financial deal the Andrews government made with Apple to allow them access to the city's most recognised public square has been released.