The Project

Meet the New MarketFront
For the first time in 40 years, Pike Place Market expanded with the opening of its new “MarketFront.” A site built for Market producers in the early 20th century, the expansion reclaims the site for farmers and producers, and provides a dynamic public plaza with views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. True to the Market’s charter, the expansion includes low-income housing and a neighborhood center with additional social services for the Market community.
June 2015: Groundbreaking
June 2017: Grand Opening
Construction Timeline
Construction began with groundbreaking in June of 2015, was completed in May 2017, and celebrated with a grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Market Commons, a new neighborhood center in the heart of Pike Place Market opened this fall. Honest Biscuit, indi chocolate and Old Stove are now open for business with some construction still underway in Producer’s Hall.
Design & Renderings
The inspiration for The Miller Hull Partnership’s design of the MarketFront is the sense of discovery one feels when exploring the Market’s hidden alleys and winding passages. The design team looked to the existing 20th century industrial structures and simple materials, such as exposed timber beams, found throughout the Market. The building incorporates Northwest industrial toughness with large, open spaces that offer transparency inside and out.
Growing more of the Market you love
True to the character and purposes of Pike Place Market, the new MarketFront will offer opportunities for farmers to sell direct to customers, local businesses to start up and low-income neighbors to find housing and services. Take a peek:
Project History
The site of the future Pike Place MarketFront was home to the Municipal Market Building, built for Market farmers and producers in the early ’20s. In 1974, the building caught fire and was demolished. Multiple feasibility studies and development proposals in the following years failed to be economically viable; development constraints included an active Burlington Northern Santa Fe train tunnel beneath the site and height restrictions within the historic district zone.
After decades of study, the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) is realizing a decades-long goal to complete the last piece of the Market Historic District. The timing of the $75 million project is driven by the future replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct; the project will deliver 300 underground parking spaces before the Viaduct removal.
Videos
Learn more about the new MarketFront from our earliest vision to our Grand Opening finale.