STANDING mighty and tall for more than a century in Madrid, Spain’s Plaza Mayor is the world-renowned Mercado de San Miguel. This public market, boasting an elegant and distinctive 20th-century architectural feature made of cast-iron and glass has been an icon that makes locals proud and captures tourists of over 10 million in average.
More than just its photogenic qualities, Mercado de San Miguel is both a shopper’s paradise and a food lover’s haven. This vibrant market is brimming of local products from fresh produce and seafood to meats, artisanal cheeses and pastries, while the lively food hall tempts visitors with a wide selection of culinary delights such as the iconic Spanish paella.
Tradition Reimagined
Now a vibrant hub, the century-old Mercado de San Miguel stands as a legacy from generations past. Originally established in 1916 to meet the daily needs of Madrid’s residents, it began as an open-air market where vendors and buyers gathered for everyday trade.
However, by the 1980s, the market’s activity declined as consumer habits shifted. After a quiet period, Mercado de San Miguel experienced a remarkable revival. Following nearly six years of restoration, it officially reopened its doors in 2009 and became Madrid’s very first gourmet market
Sustainable restoration
The public market’s redevelopment aimed to make the building sustainable while preserving its historic architectural design. It now operates on modern yet efficient technologies such as LED lighting, water-saving faucets, and heat recovery systems, all while the facade retaining its quaint yet medieval and imposing charm. These developments ensure that the age-old icon continues to operate while reducing environmental footprints.
Mercado de San Miguel keeps up with the constantly changing needs and preferences of consumers as it gathering more and more people from all over the world by onboarding internationally known chefs and launching new, top-quality merchants.
A trailblazer in market redevelopment
With this concrete success story, Mercado de San Miguel is among the global pioneers when it comes to restoring and redeveloping public markets worth replicating.
Iloilo City, Philippines, known for its efforts to preserve culture and history, has found inspiration in Mercado de San Miguel’s use of sustainable technologies in its redevelopment of major public markets.
The Iloilo City Government has partnered with SM Prime, a known and trusted property developer, to transform Iloilo Central and Terminal Markets into resilient and sustainable markets.
This collaboration is set to bring improved markets with facilities for enhanced air quality maintenance, as well as water resource and solid waste management, promising a better experience for both locals and tourists alike. Eco-friendly devices such as LED lights and energy-saving features like skylights and solar panels were also incorporated.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who recently visited the Iloilo Central Market, expressed his excitement about its nearing completion and modernized design.
“I am extremely happy to see the progress. The market is prepared to accommodate over 300 vehicles in its spacious parking area. With world-class infrastructure, it also features an elevator to make buying and selling more convenient for our residents. This is one of the lasting legacies that the Treñas-Ganzon administration will leave for the people of Iloilo,” he stated.
With this redevelopment project, Iloilo City’s public markets are set to become another remarkable success story — one that showcases innovation, sustainability, and progress to the world.
(Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/travel/26heads.htmlhttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/madrid/mercado-de-san-miguel/ps44854363.cms)
