When opened as part of the Metro Tunnel project, Parkville will be an underground premium station, featuring an island platform with two faces.

[4][5] The station was designed by RSHP, Hassell and Weston Williamson,[6] and construction materials feature sandstone, steel, glass and bluestone.

[8] An underground walkway connects the entrances and four sets of lifts underneath Royal Parade, while the main station concourse lies beneath Grattan Street.

[8] The main entrance features a 50-metre-long steel and glass canopy, and a number of skylights provide natural light to the station concourse, which is clad on one side with green aluminium.

[8] The station concourse features an artwork by Patricia Piccinini titled Vernal Glade, which consists of a large array of handmade Japanese ceramic tiles in natural colours.