It opened on 26 April 1936 in conjunction with the electrification of the Brunswick and North Melbourne Cable tram line.

The Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board awarded a £30,000 tender in May 1935 for the construction of an electric tram depot at the corner of Sydney Road and Peveril Street.

The depot was required to accommodate the electric conversion of the Brunswick and North Melbourne Cable tram line.

[3] Plans were drawn up in 1989 to permit Brunswick depot to operate the Upfield railway line, which was slated to be converted to light rail.

[6][7] While visiting Melbourne in October 2011, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip travelled aboard Z3 158, decorated as a Royal Tram.