Big things are coming to North Market Downtown.
The beloved public market is officially kicking off the first phase of its long-awaited expansion, and it’s about to get a whole lot roomier, more vibrant, and even more community-focused.
The expansion is part of The Merchant Building, the massive 32-story development rising next to the market. But don’t worry, North Market isn’t losing its iconic charm. In fact, the expansion is designed to build on what makes the market so special, while opening up new space, opportunities, and experiences.
So, what can we expect?
About 15,000 square feet of new space spread across two floors. The first floor will feature new vendor stalls (hello, more food options), a North Market-owned bar (yes, please), expanded seating areas, public restrooms, and much-needed storage. The second floor is shaping up to be something really special: a dedicated event and programming space with a covered balcony that overlooks a new outdoor market plaza.
To bring this vision to life, North Market has tapped GRA+D Architects—known for thoughtful, community-first designs—to lead the architecture. And Ruscilli Construction, a name familiar to many local projects, will handle pre-construction. Both teams are all-in on creating a space that stays true to North Market’s roots while looking toward the future.
“We’re excited to create a space that honors North Market’s history while growing with the community,” said Rick Harrison Wolfe, Executive Director and CEO of North Market. “This expansion will help us add more curated markets and programming to keep the space fresh and engaging for everyone.”
The expansion will bring new vendor stalls, a bar run by North Market, more seating, and a second-floor event space with views of the new outdoor plaza. It’s the kind of growth that’ll make it easier for more people to enjoy what makes North Market such a staple in Columbus: great food, community vibes, and space to gather.
All renderings provided by GRA+D Architects.
