After many months of work, the Market Hall in Gdańsk has reopened its doors. The historic building at 1 Plac Dominikański is now operating as a food hall. Restaurants, street food stalls, bars and delicatessens have opened across three levels, whilst the hall’s historic features have been given much greater prominence.
Gdańsk Market Hall – a 19th-century historic building
The Market Hall was built in 1896 and for decades served as one of Gdańsk’s most important commercial venues. Following the completion of the refurbishment, its original function has been expanded to include dining, events and meeting spaces. The concept has been named ‘All Around Food’. Spread across three floors, there are a total of 34 premises and stalls: four restaurants, 17 street food outlets, three bars and 10 retail stalls. The official opening took place on Wednesday 12 August. The day before, the restaurateurs carried out a dress rehearsal, inviting the first guests. Even before the opening, some tenants were putting the finishing touches to their preparations, though most venues opened on schedule.
Historic features have been given a new lease of life
The renovation did not simply involve covering the old hall with a new design. In many places, elements of the historic structure were uncovered and incorporated into the interior design. On level -1, visitors can also view archaeological finds. Among the local touches, tables featuring embedded amber are particularly eye-catching. In total, as much as 15 kg of collectable amber was used in them. The counters on the ground floor are decorated with hand-painted tiles inspired by Gdańsk’s traditional ‘fliz’ tiles. They were crafted by Manufaktura Pałac Nakomiady. The décor is complemented by Polish chairs from the 1960s and 1970s, restored by Retrospekcja. Wood, natural materials and details referencing Gdańsk ensure that the restaurant’s function is firmly rooted in the building’s history.
Three floors, three distinct zones
Each level of the Market Hall has its own programme. A total of 17 concepts operate here, offering Georgian, Indian, Mexican, Greek, Italian and Asian cuisine. There is also a stage and a large communal space for visitors. The lowest floor serves as the Deli & Bar and is the area that most strongly reflects the Market Hall’s commercial roots. Here, you can buy bread, cheese, meat, cold cuts, fish, seafood and Italian products.
Gdańsk’s Market Hall as a new meeting place
The new Market Hall was conceived as a place where shopping can seamlessly transition into dining and socialising. Key to this are the details that evoke the building’s history: exposed structural elements, archaeological remains, Gdańsk tiles, amber and furniture from the second half of the 20th century. Following its refurbishment, the building on Dominikański Square has been given a completely new purpose, whilst retaining traces of its original function.
Source:Gdańsk Real Estate
See also:Architecture in Poland|Metamorphosis|Renovation|History|Gdańsk
