[4][5] The Romanesque Revival building, with an Italianate tower, has been listed on the Canadian Register since 2006 and was formally recognized as one of Canada's Historic Places in November 1992.

Between 1982 and 2004, the Central station was served by the International Limited, a train service between Chicago and Toronto that was then operated jointly by Via Rail and Amtrak.

A feasibility study was initiated in 2004, and Guelph City Council endorsed the Carden Street location and the concept design that same year.

The project received federal and provincial infrastructure stimulus funding in 2009, and detailed design and stakeholder consultations were conducted.

[10] The name "Guelph Central" was chosen with input from the community and the transit service providers using the new station.

[22] Guelph Central Station provides an exchange with both local and regional bus services.