STABROEK MARKET

Topic: Iconic Design

Subject: Architectural Design and Practice

Lecturer: Miss Shion Norton

Due date: 15-01-2021

 GROUP D

NAME USI

Varshanie Jaikissoon 1035400

Semira Greene 1035049

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CONENTS
DESCRIPTION...........................................................................................................................................4
THE HISTORY OF THE STABROEK MARKET.....................................................................................5
DESIGN OF STABROEK MARKET.........................................................................................................6
VALUE OF THE STABOREK MARKET.................................................................................................7
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................8
APPENDIX.................................................................................................................................................9

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DESCRIPTION (GXMedia n.d.)
The Stabroek market is a cast iron building with a corrugated clock tower with a series of gable
roof. It is bordered by Croal Street to the north; Hadfield Street to the south; Vlissingen Road to
the east and the Demerara River to the west.
It bears the name of the oldest ward in Georgetown, was officially opened on November 1, 1881.
This steel structure was designed by an American engineer, Mr. Nathaniel McKay, which is built
partly on land and water, this steel structure. This landmark serves as one of the main hubs for
economic activities in the capital city.

Figure 1 showing a painting of the Stabroek market

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THE HISTORY OF THE STABROEK MARKET (Lloyd Kandasammy 2015)
(GXMedia n.d.)

Built by the Edge Moor Iron Company of Delaware in 1880, the iron and steel structure is
possibly the oldest building still in use in the city. Stabroek is the oldest ward in the city of
Georgetown. It was initially established by the French in 1782 after they invaded and briefly
controlled the colony of Demerara. It was later named after Nicholas Gleevinck, Lord of
Stabroek and President of the Dutch West Indian Company (DWIC) in 1784 after the Dutch
regained control of the colony.
As Georgetown developed and extended, it was soon realized that there was need for the
construction of a proper market, as the area was said to have been congested and unsightly. In
the circumstance, the office of the Mayor and Town Council soon passed regulations on 23 April
1843, to erect a proper building for the operation of a market.
Constructed of local hardwoods, the market was described as "the best in the West Indies". By
1870, the market appears to have outlived its usefulness, as the area was described as one, which
was inadequate, unable to accommodate the growing number of vendors. Mr. Francis Conjers, a
councillor, recommended that a new market be built. His proposal was endorsed by the council
and in 1879, a committee, consisting of His Worship Mayor G. A. Forshaw, B.S. Bayley, J.C.
Whitehead, H.S. Sprotson Innis, Mr Conjers and Luke M. Hill, the Town Superintendent, was
appointed to examine and approve the plans submitted by the prospective construction agencies
for the erection of a market house.

Figure 2 showing the Stabroek Market in the past

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DESIGN OF STABROEK MARKET (Tony Dunnell n.d.)
On 29 July 1879, the committee submitted their report to the Mayor and Town Council. It noted
that a total of six plans had been submitted. These included two by the Edge Moor Iron Company
of Philadelphia, USA the Clark Reeves Company represented by agent Mr. Nathaniel McKay,
Sam Woodhall, Henry Rogers Sons & Company, represented by the agent Mc Fan Trotters
Holdings, and one by Peter Mc Lellaw.
The plan was modified at the request of the committee and was favoured on "account of its
foundation and ornamental appearance and very perfect system of ventilation in the roof the
latter being especially suited for the tropical climate."
They noted the increased cost of the plan was, "due to the fact that the entire structure was made
of wrought iron and also that the total weight of the iron far exceeds that of the other designs
submitted."The committee also noted that another advantage in the selection of the design of the
new market was the resistance of a metal structure to the possible damage by a fire. On 8
September 1828 and 29 December 1864 fires had destroyed large sections of the city and the
vulnerability of a wooden structure was observed.The amended plan A of the Edge Moor Iron
Company at a cost of $132,855.00 was accepted on 31 July 1879. The Honourable Mr. Dupsdale,
a councillor, moved that the motion be accepted and Mr. Ritcher, another councillor, seconded
this. Four members of the committee, Mr. Bayley, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Sproston, Mr. Ritcher
and The Mayor G.A. Forshaw, voted in favour of the plan, Mr. Conjers voted against and Mr.
Innis declined to vote.
In approving this plan, it was noted that an additional $75,000.00 would be required to finance
the construction of the new market. On Tuesday, 5 August 1879 the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Forshaw,
was authorised "to sign and secure a contract between Mr. Nathaniel McKay and the Council for
the erection of a Georgetown market house".

Figure 3 showing the plan of the Sabroek Market

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VALUE OF THE STABOREK MARKET (Tony Dunnell n.d.)
 The Stabroek market is the biggest market widely known in Guyana
 It is the central hub for minibuses and taxis, and ferries that transport people and good
along the coast of Guyana.
 Fruits, vegetables, sea-food, meats, clothing, cakes and pastries are all sold here by
vendors of Guyana.
 It is one of the oldest steel structures in Georgetown that is still used.

Figure 4 showing the Stabroek Market at night

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REFERENCES

GXMedia . n.d. 2018. Accessed 01 15, 2021. https://www.thingsguyana.com/the-stabroek-market-a-

traditional-mall-where-you-can-find-almost-anything/.

Lloyd Kandasammy. 2015. Stabroek News . 04 14. Accessed 01 15, 2021.

http://www.landofsixpeoples.com/news502/ns5041450.htm.

n.d. National Trust . Accessed 01 15, 2021. http://nationaltrust.gov.gy/history-of-georgetown/historic-

stabroek/#:~:text=Stabroek%20Market%2C%20located%20on%20Water,Nathaniel%20McKay.

Tony Dunnell. n.d. Atlasobscura. Accessed 01 15, 2021. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/stabroek-

market.

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APPENDIX
Figure 5 and 6 showing the sketches of the Stabroek Market