History of Prahran Market

Australia's oldest continually-running market goes way back... We’re a special piece of the state’s history...

The Beginning

Although land was sold throughout Prahran in 1840, it was not until the gold rush days of the 1850s that the community really began to grow, and in 1856, Prahran's first Council was elected. Prahran was famous for its small farms and market gardens, and at first goods were sold or bartered locally or carted into Melbourne. What was needed was a central market place in the municipality of Prahran and this was organised by the Prahran Council in 1864 but it wasn't until 1891 that the Prahran Market opened.

The '20s and '30s

The Market was extended in 1923 at a cost of 80,000 pounds. Even The Great Depression of the 1930s had little impact on the market. It became a distribution point of groceries, clothing and boots for the unemployed.

The '40s and '50s

In the years of World War II, shoppers travelled to Prahran by tram and train with their ration cards. Most of the men in the Market went to war and their wives and children took on the hard job of buying, carting and selling the produce. The men on the farms would help the women at the Market by delivering the produce. On Boxing Day 1950, the fruit and vegetable section of the Market was gutted by fire. Shortly after the fire the Prahran City Council began talks to update the complex

On Boxing Day 1950, the fruit and vegetable section of the Market was gutted by fire. Shortly after the fire the Prahran City Council began talks to update the complex. After the 1950 fire the Council erected a temporary replacement structure and it was not until 1972, that they appointed Gunn Hyball Pty Ltd to complete a new market. The final stage was completed in 1976 at a total cost of $6.5 million.

Land was also bought behind the Market between Elizabeth Street and Barry Street to extend the car park. Customers in their cars used to queue up at the end of each aisle awaiting a parking spot. A man positioned on the top of the Market would announce over a public intercom where the vacant car spaces were located. He was affectionately referred to as "The voice from above".

Since the '90s

In 1994, Council appointed an independent board to run the market, free from political interference. Over the 18 year period since the 1970s' renovations, the market was in need of major structural repairs. As well as attending to decaying pipes, steel work and floor coverings, some cosmetic changes were achieved. The old brick wall facing Elizabeth Street was demolished and replaced with glass windows to allow natural light to flood the fruit and vegetable hall. The old liquor arcade which ran off the Market Square was converted into a Gourmet Food Hall and the Market Square was covered with Glass sails. The Council then developed a multi-level carpark between Elizabeth and Barry Street which is managed separately.

We've still got it...

While other Melbourne Markets were experiencing a downwards trend in food retailing, Prahran Market became home to Australia's food experts. Prahran became a place to discover new and unique produce and a place to learn about the latest cooking trends.