RENTON MARKET

Location:  Renton, Washington
Type:  On The Boards

Originally constructed in 1948 as an auto dealership, the Renton Market building has served as an events center since a 2002 renovation. Today, the City of Renton has partnered with Graham Baba Architects to reimagine the structure as a vibrant, community-focused public market in the heart of the downtown Commercial District.

Part of the City’s Downtown Core Vision Plan (2018), the project transforms the 15,000-square-foot masonry and wood frame structure into a new hub for food, culture, and commerce. The revitalized building will include a mix of small-scale market stalls, two food-and-beverage anchor tenants, and support spaces including a community kitchen classroom, meeting area, administrative office, and improved infrastructure.

At the core of the renovation is the creation of a central open volume that accommodates twelve market stall armatures. The south-facing façade fronts the adjacent Piazza and will receive a new canopy and vestibule. Together, they provide weather protection and visual identity, combining painted steel, wood, fluted glass, and clear glazing to connect the interior activity to the park beyond. 

Existing facades will be enlivened by new graphics related to the market and will strengthen the market's presence within the community while providing armatures for the market operator to announce events happening within and around the market, for greater interface with pedestrians.

The east and west entries will feature new wood entry doors and vertical screen elements to improve street presence and signal activation. Anchor tenants will have dedicated outdoor seating zones along Burnett Avenue and the west side, increasing pedestrian interaction and visibility.

The adjacent Piazza will also be renovated, preserving much of the riverine motif in the ground plane, with the addition of new understory planting and a reconfiguration of hardscape and landscape across much of the site. This reconfiguration allows for better sightlines both to the new Market awning and through the park. New native and drought-tolerant understory plantings and refined hardscape areas will improve ecological function, visual connection, and programming flexibility for events and the weekend market.

Future plans include a multi-use pedestrian and bike trail along Burnett Avenue, enhancing connectivity and expanding the Market’s role as a catalyst for further downtown revitalization.

Images:  Graham Baba Architects
Architecture: Graham Baba Architects
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineering: Arup
Civil, Structural Engineering: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Landscape: HEWITT
Lighting: SparkLab Lighting Design
Acoustical Engineer: Tenor Engineering Group
Specifications: Tony Foden
Cost Estimating: DCW
Branding and Environmental Graphics: Studio Matthews
Owner: City of Renton