The station building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, noted for its unusual shape and proximity to the coastline.

It also notes its uniqueness in railway architecture, noting architectural features including "the pedimented entrance porch, the patterned brickwork, the tiled frieze below the eaves cornice, the bluestone columns at the barriers, the tessellated paving to the entrance lobby, the round brick arches and the additional red brick banding at the entry".

[5][9] It remained a terminus until 2 September 1887, when the line was extended to Sandringham, with two additional curved platforms added.

In 1889, the current station building was constructed, and in 1919, the line to Sandringham was electrified using 1500 V DC overhead wires.

[4] In 1926, a signal box was constructed, located between the down end of Platform 2 and the South Road level crossing.

In 1968, boom barriers replaced interlocked gates at the South Road level crossing, located at the down end of the station.

[11] The signal box controlled the swing gates at the New Street level crossing, which were the last left in Victoria.

[13] The project, which cost $4.4 million, included the replacement of the hand-operated gates with boom barriers, installation of flashing lights and bells, and a wider pedestrian crossing.

[14] Following a 2019 commitment by the Federal Government, the station was due to receive an upgraded commuter car park.

There are also ticket facilities at the up (Flinders Street) end of the island platform, for customers accessing Brighton Beach via the footbridge.

After a lack of maintenance causing severe issues with the line, a material and finance shortage during World War II, and finally a decrease in patronage due to bus and car competition, the line was closed between Brighton Beach and Middle Brighton in January 1956, and closed fully in February 1959, despite protests from the community.