Prahran Market

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prahran Market 1891 heritage facade

Prahran market, north side

The Prahran Market is one of the premier fresh food markets in Melbourne, Australia. It has existed on its present site in Commercial Road, South Yarra, just 200 metres from Chapel Street, for over 125 years. The market boasts a great variety of stalls and shops offering fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, deli foods, cafes, variety and clothing. The market is not open on Mondays and Wednesdays.

[edit] History

The original Prahran Market was established by the Prahran Council in 1864 near the corner of Greville and Grattan Street, which today is covered by a garden and fountain. The council determined that, with the population growth during the 1850s, a central market place was required for the many small farmers and market gardeners in the area to sell their produce.

By 1881 the site had become overcrowded and the market was moved to its present location on Commercial Road. The erection of market buildings and extension of stalls was carried out in 1890 and the new Prahran Market was opened in 1891. The present facade on Commercial Road, which exhibits mannerist and Anglo-Dutch influences is much the same as it was in 1891 and includes the complete mansard roof. The market was further extended in 1923 and in the late 1920s refrigeration became available for perishable goods. The balcony above the Commercial Road shops was the site for Friday night concerts by The Salvation Army.

The market became a distribution point of groceries, clothing and boots for the unemployed during the depression years of the 1930s. During the Second World War, most of the men in the market were conscripted into the armed forces and their wives and children undertook the job of buying, carting and selling produce. The fruit and vegetable section of the Market was destroyed in a fire on Boxing Day 1950 and a temporary structure erected. But it was not until 1972 that the Prahran Council sought tenders for the redevelopment of the market site. The final stage of the redevelopment was completed in 1976 at a total cost of $AUD6.5 million.

The 1990s saw the appointment an independent Board to run the Market, major structural repairs and renovations to the market complex, and the construction of a multi level carpark between Elizabeth and Barry Street.

[edit] Transport

The Sandringham railway service stops at South Yarra and Prahran railway stations while tram 72 travels along Commercial Road and stops at the Prahran market. Trams 78 and 79 run in Chapel Street and Bus Services 216,219 and 220 run along Commercial Road.