Jamestown Market Adaptive Reuse
Jamestown, St Helena
Restoration of a Grade I listed prefabricated iron market in central Jamestown. A civic landmark reimagined as a public space and community hub for St Helena.
Jamestown Market Adaptive Reuse Jamestown, St Helena
A civic landmark reimagined as a public space and community hub for St Helena.
Jamestown Market is a rare example of a prefabricated cast iron structure, purpose-built in 1865 by Gwynne; Co. in London and shipped to St Helena during the colonial rebuilding of Jamestown. Positioned at the junction of Main Street and Market Street, the market dominates the west side of the Bridge and sits above the historic watercourse known as the Run.
MWAI was appointed to restore and reimagine the market as part of the Jamestown 2020 vision, in preparation for the island’s new international airport. The proposal includes a sensitive conservation of the Grade I listed superstructure and the insertion of a new low-tech, sustainable market-day installation. The new structure sits off the original frame, celebrating its engineering heritage while providing flexible, community-focused retail and public space.
The design reopens the market to the public realm, removing opaque cladding and reinstating original gates to reconnect the building with the Bridge square. The new market units are conceived as robust, utilitarian boxes — built from volcanic concrete or prefabricated steel — with flaps that open to reveal signage, menus and community messages. These units are designed to be lockable, adaptable and subservient to the historic frame.
The refurbishment strategy includes restoring the original roof trusses, replacing the asbestos roof with insulated corrugated steel, and introducing rooflights and natural ventilation. The market’s transformation aims to revive its civic role, creating a vibrant, open-air trading space that reflects the island’s heritage and supports its future.
MWAI was appointed to restore and reimagine the market as part of the Jamestown 2020 vision, in preparation for the island’s new international airport. The proposal includes a sensitive conservation of the Grade I listed superstructure and the insertion of a new low-tech, sustainable market-day installation. The new structure sits off the original frame, celebrating its engineering heritage while providing flexible, community-focused retail and public space.
The design reopens the market to the public realm, removing opaque cladding and reinstating original gates to reconnect the building with the Bridge square. The new market units are conceived as robust, utilitarian boxes — built from volcanic concrete or prefabricated steel — with flaps that open to reveal signage, menus and community messages. These units are designed to be lockable, adaptable and subservient to the historic frame.
The refurbishment strategy includes restoring the original roof trusses, replacing the asbestos roof with insulated corrugated steel, and introducing rooflights and natural ventilation. The market’s transformation aims to revive its civic role, creating a vibrant, open-air trading space that reflects the island’s heritage and supports its future.