Phasing was key to the project, led by
Friday Architects/Planners. Some of the renovation's most impactful details go largely unnoticed at
the Market, housed since 1892 in a National Historic Landmark building and a major tourist attraction. Cold storage was relocated to the basement and operations and tool rooms were shifted to make the expansion possible. A new office mezzanine was constructed within a week despite the challenges of old floor surfaces and slope variation. Popular merchants like Dinic's Roast Pork, Spataros and Flying Monkey were moved to new locations in an effort to create spaces that were mroe functional and attractive.
"Yes, it's fun to build from the ground up, but it's also very exhilarating and challenging to take a historically existing space and augment it for the growing architectural needs as a result of its popularity," says Friday President
Tony Bracali in a news release.
While the Avenue D portion of the Market was straightened and streamlined, the Rick Nichols room, named for the Philadelphia Inquirer food writer and longtime advocate for the Market, will serve as a multipurpose rental space for meetings, parties and other social gatherings. It features a folding glass door and a mural along the east wall depicting a timeline of Market milestones.
Another important change is the relocation of La Cucina at The Market, the site's demonstration kitchen, to a prominent location adjacent to the Nichols Room.
Friday is currently preparing designs for three of the five new merchants expected at the Market, including Valley Shepard Creamery, The Tubby Olive and Downtown Cheese.
Source: Friday Architects/Planners
Writer: Joe Petrucci