Spitalfields Market

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About

The City of London’s old fruit and vegetable market moved in 1991, leaving empty a uniquely central heritage building under a huge roof. USM was invited to form a joint venture with the Spitalfields Development Group to “invent” an interim use.
A range of initiatives was created with minimal investment, becoming an entirely new destination with a 200 stall market, a unique “food village” with chalet units sharing common eating space, arts and fashion events, sports pitches, a swimming pool, even an opera house.
Redevelopment has since reduced the space, but USM’s model took firm root and today’s market to most Londoners is the traditional Spitalfields.

Key Facts

Project dates	1992 - 1999
Uses	Market, restaurants, food village, retail, arts workshops, sports, swimming pool
Area	240,000sq.ft
Jobs created	550 plus over 500 in the surrounding area
Investment	£300,000
Major initial tenants	Market Sports, Dandylion Trust, Spitalfields Market Opera, Prince's Trust
Highlights	Alternative Fashion Week, Organic Market, Market Sports Day, Visit by HRH Prince Charles, Roland Emmett installation
Partnerships	Spitalfields Development Group, Bethnal Green City Challenge