From architectural caterpillar to Art Deco butterfly: Waterworks Food Hall

While this space is not in the habit of navel-gazing, it still stings when considering the lost opportunity at the new St. Lawrence Market north building.

While the new structure (by Rogers Stirk Harbour & Parners with Adamson Associates) is handsome enough, it was noted here after a trip to Rotterdam and a tour of the then-new Markthal (Market Hall) by MVRDV in October, 2014 that the decision to place “transient, depressing” municipal courtrooms above the public space rather than housing and retail was a surefire way to suck life and tourism from the street.