Hundreds fill Pike Place's new Marketfront for its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The new space features more spots for vendors, senior housing, restaurants and views of Elliott Bay.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
The Seattle Great Wheel is seen from the Producers Hall in Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
A ferry passes by as visitors explore the Producers Hall at Pike Place Marketfront's grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
A tourist takes a photo of a mural next to the grand staircase during Pike Place Marketfront's grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Pike Place Marketfront overlooks SR-99 and Elliott Bay, seen during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Visitors sit on benches outside a new vendor pavilion at Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
A T-shirt booth shows its goods in the new vendor pavilion during Pike Place Marketfront's grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Cars on SR-99 drive under Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Western Tapestry, by Seattle artist John Fleming, hangs on Western Ave. outside Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Two women eat samples from Jarr & Co. over SR-99 during Pike Place Marketfront's grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Hundreds fill Pike Place's new Marketfront for its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The new space features more spots for vendors, senior housing, restaurants and views of Elliott Bay.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
An inflatable Rachel the Piggy Bank welcomes visitors at during Pike Place Marketfront's grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
The city rises behind Pike Place Marketfront as its grand opening takes place, on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
People explore the upper level of Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Hundreds gather for speakers during Pike Place Marketfront's opening ceremony on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
A view of Elliott Bay and SR-99 from Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
People explore the nooks and crannies of the new Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
The Producers Hall at Pike Place Marketfront on its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
People eat lunch and enjoy drinks in the Producers Hall at Pike Place Marketfront on its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Tourists roam Pike Place Marketfront during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Hundreds fill Pike Place's new Marketfront for its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The new space features more spots for vendors, senior housing, restaurants and views of Elliott Bay.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Pike Place Marketfront's new vendor pavilion seen during its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Old Stove Brewing shows its support for the new Pike Place Marketfront on its grand opening on Thursday, June 29, 2017.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Under sunny skies, one of Seattle's most iconic spots officially began a new era.
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After decades of planning, Pike Place Market unveiled its $74 million MarketFront expansion at a grand opening ceremony Thursday that featured a nod to the area's native inhabitants and remarks from several local luminaries.
"The spirit of Pike Place Market is the spirit of Seattle -- centered around the sky, sea and mountains that surround us, but built as a special home for creative spirits, open minds, hard workers and compassionate souls," said Matt Hanna of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA). "That spirit is carried forward and finds new life here at the MarketFront."
The new expansion adds 30,000 square feet to the nearly 110-year-old market, including 47 new stalls under an all-weather canopy, 12,000 square feet of commercial and production space to be used by four separate businesses and 40 units of low-income senior housing, some of which will be occupied by artists selling their wares at the the MarketFront pavilion.
The expansion was built on top of a 3/4 acre parking lot at what was the former location of the Municipal Market Building. A fire damaged the building in 1974, and it took nearly half a century for the MarketFront to rise in its place.
"It took us 40 years," said Ben Franz-Knight of the Pike Place Market PDA. "That's because it was not easy. Like everything else in the market, it was complicated. It involved a lot of voices."
Stephanie Shull of Pike Place Pigs and the rest of the market's artists have been watching the project's progress with great anticipation. If Shull's response is any indication, they're thrilled with the results.
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"The MarketFront pavilion has not disappointed. This space is incredible. We love it," she said before ringing a commemorative bell and declaring the pavilion "open for business."
Featuring commanding views of Elliott Bay, the MarketFront is also just the latest piece of the waterfront renaissance in Seattle that began with the recently completed digging of a nearly 2-mile tunnel under the city and will end when the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down.
"This is not just about the market," Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said. "This is about a vision for the waterfront. If chapter one was digging a tunnel, then chapter two is today. It is opening this incredible facility."
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The grand opening ceremony included a performance by the Chief Seattle Drum Group, as well as remarks from Joe Desimone, whose grandfather sold produce at the market.
"When you look out and see this view today, there's no other market in the United States that has a view like this one," Desimone said amid loud applause.
Check out photos of the new MarketFront in the gallery above.