[1] The locality includes two distinct parts: the densely developed residential /industrial area located on the northwest edge of the CBD, and a much larger western section dominated by rail yards and port facilities.

The area closest to North Melbourne, south of Victoria Street, developed more or less contiguously with it, as mainly residential and shops lining Victoria Street..[3] West Melbourne Post Office opened on 1 March 1937 and was replaced by the Queen Vic Market Newsagency office in 1990, which closed in 1996.

[4] The areas closest to the CBD, and close to the rail lines and port, were more favoured for industrial development, which continued into the mid 20th Century.

A major landmark is the five storey red brick premises built for Sands & McDougal on the corner of Spencer and Jeffcott Streets in 1885.

The area remained low and swampy and largely undeveloped even after the Coode Canal was built in the 1890s, and eventually mainly housed port facilities and extensive railway yards.

Dudley Street and Footscray Roads running east west provided the main access to the western suburbs from the rest of the city.

West Melbourne lays claim to the southern side of Victoria Street, meaning that a small range of restaurants and shops lie within its boundaries.