Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market — one of the city’s most recognizable attractions after the Space Needle — is undergoing a significant expansion and several preservation efforts to serve visitors and residents better.
The Market is building a new MarketFront on land that was once a parking lot and earlier hosted the Municipal Market building that burned in 1974. Construction on the MarketFront began in June 2015 and the project was slated for completion in 2017.
The addition will create roughly 30,000 square feet of public space, including a plaza and a viewing deck overlooking Elliott Bay. The plan also includes about 12,000 square feet devoted to shops and restaurants, roughly 300 underground parking spaces, 47 farm and craft vendor tables, 33 bicycle parking spaces, and four public art installations. Residential and community features include 40 low-income senior housing units, a neighborhood center, and space for five artisan food purveyors and a brewery. This is one of the most substantial updates to the Market since it first opened in 1907.
Meanwhile, the Market’s famous Gum Wall in Post Alley has been receiving conservation attention. After about two decades of accumulating gum, crews began removing it from the historic brickwork on Nov. 10 to protect and preserve the underlying masonry. The cleaning is intended to safeguard the bricks, and the beloved Gum Wall experience is expected to return once preservation work is complete.
The MarketFront and preservation actions reflect ongoing efforts to maintain Pike Place Market’s historic character while expanding public amenities and services. Together, these improvements aim to balance restoration with thoughtful growth, ensuring the Market remains a vibrant destination for generations to come.