Pike Place Market, situated in downtown Seattle, is one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the United States and attracts more than 10 million visitors every year. Founded in the summer of 1907 the market is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.This historic place envelops seven acres in the center of the city. The market sells fresh fish, produce, sports a spectacular assortment of flowers, and is filled with restaurants as well as local artisans selling their wares. The market not only inspires visitors but contributes significantly to the quality of life of those who work and live in the city.
It is always difficult to alter anything historically significant and precious to so many people. We have all experienced situations when projects are ill conceived or underfunded and end up diminishing the spaces we love. Fortunately, the market’s recent addition adds to the success of this dynamic district. The contemporary addition onto the market expanded the number of booths and added work/live space for local artists while providing quality public spaces overlooking Elliot Bay.
The addition seamlessly stitches the market into an existing public park and a thoroughfare down a steep embankment to the west.
Seattle is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the country and, surprisingly, one of three that are doing so through increasing density. Most of our cities are growing out generically by adding more roads, cookie cutter subdivisions, strip malls and big box retailers. The bar is set so low for this type of growth that there is rarely any controversy surrounding these projects. Conversely, projects in dense urban areas, like the Pike Place Market expansion, are complex, expensive and difficult to execute but vital to maintaining a high quality of life.