Closure
In the 1980s, the state government looked at the possibility of closing several lines, or converting them to light rail services, which were perceived to be cheaper. After several inquiries, it was decided to close both the St Kilda and Port Melbourne lines, and convert them both to light rail. The last train service ran on 31 July 1987 with the light rail officially commissioned on 21 November 1987.
The decision was made to retain the station buildings from the St Kilda line intact, and to use them for other purposes. The St Kilda station was ideal for commercial use, as it is situated on busy Fitzroy Street, and was subsequently sold off. On 4 December 1989 the station was badly damaged by fire, but the structural soundness was not affected. A second fire occurred two days later.
In the late 1990s, developers announced a planned redevelopment of the station site, involving large-scale changes. Despite several protests from the National Trust of Australia and other heritage groups, the development went ahead. The Metropol Apartments were completed in the station forecourt by 2002, with the shops following soon after. The station building was converted into a number of different shops, and the entire platform space was removed. While few aspects of its original function were retained an old cast iron old platform clock remains as evidence of the building's former use.
Read more about this topic: St Kilda Railway Station