Melbourne has entered a new era of public transport and urban design with the completion of the Metro Tunnel Project, unveiling five architecturally distinctive underground stations that are reshaping how the city moves and experiences its rail network.
The project delivers twin nine-kilometre rail tunnels beneath the city and five new stations—Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac—forming a seamless new transport spine through central Melbourne. By routing the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines through the tunnel, the project has untangled the City Loop and enabled more than 500,000 additional passenger trips each week during peak periods.
The tunnels and stations were delivered by the CYP Design and Construction Joint Venture, comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, and Bouygues Construction Australia.
Beyond their transport function, the new stations have been conceived as civic landmarks. Each combines generous space, natural light, and intuitive layouts to create calm and legible passenger experiences, while celebrating the scale and structure of civil engineering. Materials, colours, and forms respond directly to surrounding neighbourhoods, reinforcing a strong sense of place.
Stations Reflect Local Identity
- Arden Station (North Melbourne) acts as a catalyst for urban renewal, featuring bold red brick archways inspired by historic skew-arch construction and referencing the area’s industrial heritage. Designed on a flood plain, the station is elevated 1.5 metres above ground level.
- Parkville Station, located in Melbourne’s education and health precinct, is defined by a glazed canopy that floods the concourse with daylight and connects directly to the University of Melbourne and major medical facilities.
- State Library Station provides a direct interchange with Melbourne Central and features one of the world’s widest underground platforms. Its entrance references the State Library’s neoclassical portico and incorporates a major public artwork by Daniel Boyd Mellor honouring Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women.
- Town Hall Station integrates seamlessly into Melbourne’s laneway network, with entrances at City Square, Federation Square, and Flinders Street, complementing both heritage and contemporary architecture.
- Anzac Station, beneath St Kilda Road, is Melbourne’s first train–tram interchange, connecting directly to surrounding parklands and the Shrine Reserve through timber canopies and skylit concourses.
A Distinctly Melbourne Design Language
A bold, systematic colour strategy inspired by Melbourne’s sunrise and street art distinguishes the stations. Warm oranges, pinks, and yellows contrast with concrete infrastructure, while above-ground steelwork colours respond to local context—from verdant green at Anzac to deep blue at Parkville and purple at Town Hall. These saturated colours also function as clear wayfinding markers across the network.
Lighting design plays a critical role in shaping atmosphere and navigation. Rather than uniform illumination, lighting highlights architectural forms, guides movement, and softens transitions between underground and street level. Bespoke luminaires, developed with local manufacturers, reflect Melbourne’s strong design culture and commitment to craftsmanship.
A New Benchmark for Civic Infrastructure
The Metro Tunnel stations set a new standard for sustainable, human-centred transport infrastructure. Through natural light, durable materials, integrated wayfinding, and seamless connectivity, the stations function not only as transport interchanges but as generous civic spaces that enrich Melbourne’s urban life.
Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Director at RSHP, described the project as a reflection of Melbourne’s creative spirit, noting that each station is unique yet sensitive to its location, reshaping how the city is navigated now and into the future.
