The Adelaide Central Market is a major fresh produce market in Adelaide, South Australia. As one of the oldest markets in Australia, Adelaide Central Market has a large range of fresh food, including fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, small goods, and health foods, along with several cafés and eateries. Currently, approximately one million kilograms of fresh produce are delivered to the market and sold every month. It is a popular tourist attraction in the city, with more than 8.5 million visitors every year. It is also referred to simply as the Central Market. A $400 million redevelopment was approved in January 2021, which will include a mixed-use 35-storey building comprising offices, residential apartments and a hotel.
History
Establishment
The Market began in Grote Street in 1869 and was known as the City Markets, with its official opening by Mayor Judah Solomon on 23 January 1870. Later that year, three acres of land were bought for £2,600 in the present-day location. However, the main markets at that time were the East End Markets that existed between Rundle Street and North Terrace. These markets would rival the Adelaide Central Market until 1988.
Some traders moved from the East End Markets to the Central Market. The building was constructed of wood and iron sheets, and it was completed in June 1869. At its commencement, it opened on Tuesdays and Saturdays with 50–100 produce carts. Shops were built along the perimeter of the market and facing the streets. In the early 1880s, fish supplies were scarce in Adelaide and had to be brought from Port Augusta and Port Pirie by rail.
Today, the Central Market is surrounded by the Central Market Arcade, Adelaide China Town, and Market Plaza. The 'center' of the Central Market is made up primarily of fresh produce stalls, with the perimeter and arcade shops being mainly cafés, restaurants, and variety stores.
Expansion and redevelopment
On 8 February 1900, a foundation stone was laid by Mayoress Rosa Ware, in the presence of the Mayor of Adelaide, Arthur Ware. Shops were added as well as a refrigeration plant for fruit and fish. Electricity was added in 1902 to replace the gas lighting. Arcade shops were added in 1915 on the eastern side. At that stage, amusements were provided such as darts, billatelle shooting galleries, ball bowling, hoop-la and cheap jacks. The addition of other businesses, such as the Hampshire Hotel in 1911, the Moore's Department stores in 1914, and Her Majesty's Theatre also attracted customers. The Market opened for trading on Tuesday, commencing April 1920.
In December 1922, the fish quarters of the Market were demolished and further arcades of 32 shops were added. On 27 December 1925, the northeastern quarters of the Market were partly damaged by a fire. In 1929, butchers' licenses for the Market were not renewed because of sanitary concerns.
Redevelopment of the Market commenced on 18 January 1965 with the demolition of the east end facade on Grote Street and the addition of a car park. The new market was opened on 17 June 1966 by Lord Mayor James Irwin. Prior to August 1965, the Market was known as the "City Market," and after that, it was known as the "Central Market".
Addition and demolition of supermarket
Coles Supermarkets joined the neighboring Central Market Arcade in the Central Market precinct in June 1967. Further covered car parking was developed as well as the addition of a shopping complex. More than five decades later, in 2022, the supermarket was closed and demolition commenced. Construction of a hotel ( Treehouse Hotel ) will take place in 2023.
Fire
On 22 June 1977, the market's southern stall area was badly damaged in a fire. Major restoration was undertaken to repair the damage caused by the fire. At this time, there was new competition from local suburban shopping centers. The restoration was completed in 1987 and the damaged area was reopened by Lord Mayor James Jarvis on 14 April 1987.
The market currently has 76 stalls covering some 8,000 square meters and roughly 1,000 car park spaces.
Central Market Precinct
Including the main Central Market building, the Central Market Precinct is composed of five separately managed areas.
Adelaide Central Market
The market itself holds over 76 stalls in a single undercover area. The Market is owned by the City of Adelaide and is managed by the Adelaide Central Market Authority (a subsidiary and statutory authority of the City of Adelaide), which also manages the car park above the entire precinct.