Centrale Markthal History

Generations of Amsterdam residents have special memories of the Central Market; as a trader, consumers, local residents or employees. Since 1895, the largest market in the city of Amsterdam was located in the middle of a residential area. In terms of logistics and hygiene, and because of increasing traffic, this was anything but practical. In 1934, therefore, an entirely new 40-hectare site was set up under the name Central Market: ten docks, warehouses and, in the middle, the Central Market Hall with a clock tower.

By building a large market area in this part of town, the city government wanted to centralise and regulate the food trade. It was one of the initiatives of social democratic politics to make Amsterdam more social and liveable. The now Centrale Markethal in Amsterdam was finished in 1934. The purposeful design is combined with beautiful proportions in symmetry, uniformity, rhythm and repetition. For its time, modern materials such as precast concrete and steel are combined with traditional brickwork and craftsmanship.

The building and the surrounding 22-hectare area represent the development in thinking about trading food at the beginning of the 20th century in Amsterdam. The idea was that regulation and centralisation of trading and food transport would promote the hygiene and liveability of the city.

Between 1969 and 1978, most of the docks on the site were filled in, as transport by water no longer played a significant role. In the 1980s, the site was modernised and all the old warehouses were demolished. In 2006, the Centrale Markthal fell into disuse and became a national monument the year after. BOEi became the owner in 2016.

In March 2022, during a well-attended evening, three winners were chosen from the Pitching-In Event at the Centrale Markethal. Amsterdam has many creative entrepreneurs and especially for them BOEi organised a competition with the prize of three warehouses in the market hall for at least a year. Winners would also receive financial and practical support to realise their plans.

Participants were asked to submit a video of up to 2 minutes, explaining why they could be a valuable addition to the Central Market Hall. Focus areas for the pitch were Creative, Culinary and Circular. From the nearly 100 entries, the winners were announced.

Lelani Lewis, who uses Caribbean cuisine as a connecting factor between cultures with, among other things, a cooking studio, won in the Culinary category. This was the start of Atelier Code Noir.