Yarra Street in 2001 Credit:Phillipe Batters In 2005, a handful of people lived on these eight hectares, bordered by Chapel Street, Toorak Road, the Yarra River and South Yarra railway station. Today, light industrial and office buildings have been torn down, replaced by a proliferation of apartment towers - at a construction cost over $2 billion. More than 3000 residents now live here, and the cranes dotting the skyline tell the story of how quickly these apartments are multiplying. There are more than 30 towers in the precinct either completed or under way, and Stonnington Council now expects an eventual total of 7000 residents. The growth hasn't been painless: car traffic brings the streets to a standstill regularly, and the narrow footpaths bustle with activity.

Yarra Street in 2015 Credit:Eddie Jim The strength of growth is now so great Stonnington Council wants major improvements to the railway station and an extra entrance, to cope with the jump in numbers. "It's changed from having almost nil population," says councillor Matthew Koce, whose ward takes in the area. "South Yarra station is congested during peak times, and it's not particularly safe. It needs investment." Yarra Street in 2001 Credit:Phillipe Batters He says the narrow streets combined with tall towers up to 26 levels mean there is also a need for more open space.

Designated an area for high-density housing, young renters have flocked to the area, paying from $500 a week for a two-bedroom flat. Research two years ago from consultants Charter Keck Cramer found 42 per cent of residents in the area were aged between 25 and 39. Yarra Street in 2015 Credit:Eddie Jim Williams Batters Real Estate director Philippe Batters has been an agent in the area for 44 years, and has seen three cycles go through: "It started off with Victorian houses, and then came the cream brick factories," says the 65-year-old. "Now, all these huge high-rises are going up. If you are frail or infirm, the foot traffic outside the station today is unbelievable." Batters says the thriving area's success is a sign of the change in how Melbourne views its railways. "When I started, if you were near a railway station, people would say 'I don't want to live there'. Now it's a big attraction." Forrest Hill resident Rebecca Roberts. Credit:Eddie Jim

In Forrest Hill, it certainly is for one resident, Rebecca Roberts. The 27-year-old has lived in a two-bedroom apartment for just under a year and loves it. "You're so central to everything but you are out of the city," she says. So too says Sam Hock, who moved in three weeks ago. Forrest Hill resident Sam Hock. Credit:Eddie Jim "It's nice and close to the city so it's easy for me to travel to uni," says the 19-year-old. But he says all the growth has downsides: "There's always something happening with construction and there's lots of dust."

Cranes dot the South Yarra skyline alongside the railway station. Credit:Eddie Jim Michael Yates has developed five residential towers and one office building in the precinct, and says the area has undergone an enormous amount of development over the last 20 years. He says many of the traffic problems the area experiences now will dissipate "once all the developments have been completed - and there are not a lot of sites left for re-development". Construction is underway or complete on 30 apartment towers in the Forrest Hill precinct. Credit:Eddie Jim He too argues South Yarra station is struggling to cope with the number of residents now using it, and badly needs an overhaul.

"It is a tragedy the South Yarra railway station has been ignored," he says. -- with Georgia Simpson