FRIENDS OF THE MARKET

Pike Place Market: It’s one of the most visited places in Seattle. Locals and tourists alike come to shop for fresh produce and hand-crafted items, enjoy a meal with stunning views, or just wander, experiencing the vibrant and colorful setting.

Hard to imagine it might not be here at all if property developers and city officials were to have had their way. In the early 1960’s, the Market was the target of urban-renewal-by-demolition.

Friends of the Market was created in 1964 to protect and defend the Market from the “black wrecking ball”. Led by the inspirational architect Victor Steinbrueck, the Friends waged a hard fought, community-wide campaign to “Keep the Market”.

In 1971, after seven years of uncompromising political struggle, Seattle voters resoundingly passed the Market Initiative. This initiative, sponsored by the Friends, created the Market Historical District and placed its administration firmly under public control. It was a direct vote of the people that saved the Market!

Pike Place Market is now thriving – it hosts 15 million visitors a year. And, in June, 2017, a new $74 million expansion called MarketFront opened. It represents the completion of the historic district after more than 40 years of study and planning! Please Click Here for more information and images.

Friends of the Market remains steadfast in its commitment to preserve what was famously described in 1964 as, “A real place in a phony time.” It is a membership organization that invites you to come join the effort to help preserve, maintain and extend the Market’s history.

ANNOUNCING THE STEINBRUECK-THONN AWARD FOR
PIKE PLACE MARKET RESEARCH

The Friends of the Market has initiated the Steinbrueck -Thonn Award for Pike Place Market Research, an academic research award available to university and college students or recent graduates.

The Steinbrueck-Thonn Award is intended to encourage a broad range of cross-disciplinary and community-engaged scholarship related to the Pike Place Market; research that will serve as a catalyst for greater understanding and appreciation for this treasured public resource.

The Friends will consider funding worthy projects this Fall 2023, with a submission deadline of January 15, 2024.

Please click here to review award details and to apply for the
Steinbrueck-Thonn Award for Pike Place Market Research Award.

EVENTS & TOURS

Please be sure and visit our Events page for upcoming events. We often have interesting lectures and discussions about the history and future of the Pike Place Market.

Visit our Tours page and come out for a informative and fun “inside look” at the Market during the summer! Tours start the first Saturday in June and occur only on Saturdays through September. Book early to get a spot!

Friends History

By the early 1960’s, the Market we know today had seen better days. Seattle’s mayor called it a “somnolent fire trap”. Business leaders and developers…

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Advocacy

Friends of the Market has advocated for the Market for over 50 years opposing those who would disregard its history and responding to issues large and small.

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Market Art

Pike Place Market has for decades inspired artists who left a permanent collection of “public art” in its streets, alleys and byways.

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