Smithfield Market, officially known as London Central Markets, has a rich history dating back nearly a millennium. Its architectural story is one of constant evolution, reflecting the changing needs of London’s meat trade and the city’s growth.
Medieval Origins:
The site of Smithfield Market has been associated with livestock trading since the 10th century. Originally, it was a large open area known as “Smooth Field,” just outside the city walls of London. In these early days, there were no permanent structures; instead, the area functioned as a vast field where livestock was bought and sold.
By the 12th century, Smithfield had become London’s principal livestock market. The first recorded structure on the site was St. Bartholomew’s Priory, founded in 1123, which played a significant role in organizing the annual Bartholomew Fair, a major trading event.
Tudor and Stuart Periods:
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Smithfield remained an open market. However, the surrounding area saw significant development. Notable buildings from this period included the half-timbered houses and inns that catered to traders and visitors. While not part of the market proper, these structures formed an integral part of Smithfield’s architectural landscape.
Georgian Era:
The 18th century brought attempts to formalize and regulate the market. In 1710, an Act of Parliament established a cattle market at Smithfield, leading to the construction of pens and rudimentary facilities. However, the market remained largely open-air, and concerns about hygiene and congestion began to grow.
Victorian Transformation:
The most significant architectural changes came in the Victorian era. By the mid-19th century, the old livestock market was deemed unsuitable for a rapidly growing London. In 1855, the livestock market was moved to Islington, and plans were made to create a dedicated meat market at Smithfield.
The new market was designed by Sir Horace Jones, the City Architect, who is also known for his work on Tower Bridge. Construction began in 1866 and was completed in 1868. Jones created a vast structure that combined functionality with impressive architectural details.
The market consisted of a series of large pavilions with soaring wrought iron roofs, a style characteristic of Victorian industrial architecture. The roofs were supported by slender cast iron columns, creating a sense of space and light. The use of iron and glass was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, allowing for natural light and ventilation.
The exterior was equally impressive, featuring a grand façade in the Italian Renaissance style. The central dome and clock tower became iconic features of the Smithfield skyline. The building’s ornate details, including decorative ironwork and stone carvings, reflected the Victorian love of embellishment.
Jones’s design incorporated modern amenities for its time, including an underground railway system for bringing meat into the market, hydraulic lifts, and advanced cold storage facilities.
20th Century Additions:
The success of the market led to several expansions in the early 20th century. The Poultry Market, designed by Sir Thomas Bennett, was added to the east of the original market in 1875. Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by fire in 1958.
A new Poultry Market, designed by T.P. Bennett & Son, was built in 1963. This modernist structure featured a striking concrete dome, then the largest clear-spanning dome in Europe, with a diameter of 225 feet. The dome’s innovative design used a concrete shell just 3 inches thick at its thinnest point.
Further additions included the General Market (1883) and the Fish Market (1888), both designed by Sir Horace Jones in a style consistent with the original market buildings.
Late 20th Century and Conservation:
By the late 20th century, the focus shifted to conservation and adaptation. In 1966, the main market buildings were Grade II listed, recognizing their historical and architectural significance.
However, changes in the meat trade and urban development pressures led to proposals for redevelopment. In the 1990s and 2000s, various plans were put forward to repurpose parts of the market, sparking debates about preserving architectural heritage versus meeting modern needs.
21st Century Developments:
In recent years, there have been ongoing discussions about the future of Smithfield Market. While the meat market continues to operate in the East and West Market buildings, plans have been approved to relocate the Museum of London to the General Market and Poultry Market buildings.
These plans, by architects Stanton Williams and Asif Khan, aim to preserve the historic fabric of the buildings while adapting them for new use. The designs incorporate elements of the market’s industrial heritage, including exposing the Victorian ironwork and utilizing the existing basement spaces. Work is underway with the new museum scheduled to open in 2026.
Architectural Legacy:
Smithfield Market’s architecture tells the story of London’s growth and changing needs over the centuries. From an open field to a grand Victorian market and now to a site of cultural significance, its buildings reflect evolving architectural styles and technologies.
The market’s Victorian core remains a testament to the ambition and engineering prowess of the 19th century. Its iron and glass construction foreshadowed the modernist movement, while its ornate façades embody Victorian aesthetics.
Today, Smithfield Market stands as a unique architectural ensemble, blending different periods and styles. Its ongoing adaptation demonstrates how historic structures can be preserved and repurposed, maintaining their architectural integrity while serving new functions in the 21st century.
As Smithfield Market enters its next phase, its architecture continues to evolve, promising to remain a significant landmark in London’s architectural landscape for generations to come.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.