a "gift" to the gubmint from MTM for giving them the contract.

Thats corruption!

Where is the ICAC when you need them? Oh, that right, Brumby said we don't need one! (FYI - the entire ICAC concept originated in Hong Kong.)

The Metro Cafe 3162 at Caulfield opened it doors yesterday. It actually trades at EC Kitchen, an Asian restaurant.

It consists of both a sit down casual dining area and walk-up kiosk on Sir John Monash Dr. There is no kiosk onto platform 4 however, and those on the platform continue to see a rust-colored bomb shelter than an attractive place to eat. There was not even a hint from the station that it was open, it was only by accident I found myself in Caufield after work tonight.

The location & menu of the restaurant is obviously designed to appeal to the local international students, rather than those transferring trains.  Metro appear to have simply captaised on a small pocket of space, rather than try for a proper integration with the existing station precinct.

Here's a few photos:


Kisok (shutters parly closed)


Dining Area


Door-way, with EC Kitchen & Metro Cafe 3162 branding


View from platform 4

Kind Regards


Craig

Is it built from bare Corten steel and left to rust?

If so it might rust to a more uniform colour, but no one will ever see it like that. It will be a magnet for graffiti and posters.
 

Sadly this prediction has alrady come true.  The street side of the building is already tatty, 1 day after opening.

http://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com/2011/01/bringing-stations-to-life-cafe-3162.html

As Craig mentioned, integration with the surrounding urban environment and the station is limited.  Architects are too often still designing buildings that back onto the railway.  

What would I have done instead?  

Instead of building something I'd have got out the wrecking ball, demolishing most billboards, walls and buildings on Platform 4.  

There'd still be shelter, toilet and waiting area but there would be much better visibilty between the platform and the shops etc on the other side of Sir John Monash Drive.  

This improves perception of safety and makes the station more a part of the city rather than a seperate structure.

I'd also favour traffic calming on more of Sir John Monash Dr.  And a second platform 4 exit on the down end of Platform 4, near where Cafe 3162 currently is.   If aligned with a new pedestrian crossing this would cut access time to Monash Uni and the 900 SmartBus from 2-3 min to maybe 30 sec.

That's some great photos+ a good blog which raised some goods points.

I was disappointed that not more attention was placed in regards to it's opening, you would think Metro would advertise it on its website under "news" or "community".

Maybe the local area received some flyers or something, but why hot hand some out near the station? Or have some speaker come and talk like they do at jewelery stores?

I am just shooting some idea here, but what I am trying to say was I didn't think it was going to open so soon!

I actually expected the metal rust to be removed to unveil something on the other side! I thought it was only temporary...

We'll see how it goes I guess, if it goes badly the space could have better been used for platform widening    (sarcasm).

Thank you for the photos. It looks much more interesting from outside the station than from in.

Where else will metro be "bringing to life"?

Why wasn't it at least partially opened to the station?
-The idea of this project is to provide more amenity to people in the station and to encourage people to the station area, but this amenity is separated from the station area by a big brown wall.

I also wonder how much ballast/many sleepers this would have bought...

I was disappointed that not more attention was placed in regards to it's opening, you would think Metro would advertise it on its website under "news" or "community".

Maybe the local area received some flyers or something, but why hot hand some out near the station? Or have some speaker come and talk like they do at jewelery stores?

Yep - the lack of promotion suprised me as well, although maybe they're waiting for some settling in time or for uni to return.  

Even cheaper than flyers is just making announcements over the station PA - possibly with a discount inducement on presentation of a ticket.

If done between 8:30 - 9:15 am, you'd also be spreading the am peak and (slightly) relieving train crowding by shifting trips into the shoulder peak at a critical 'pinch point' part of the network.