For more than a century, the Iron Market was a vital centre for commerce and daily life in Port-au-Prince, its twin halls providing shelter for up to 1,000 small traders in food, crafts, and textiles. When this landmark structure was severely damaged by fire in 2008, and again by the devastating 2010 earthquake, the city lost a key public gathering place at a critical time in its history. Its rapid restoration was both a practical form of economic aid and a powerful symbol of hope.
Client: Institut de Sauvegarde de Patrimoine National, Haiti
Dates: 2010—2011
Architect:
John McAslan + Partners
Consultants
Alan Baxter Ltd
Arts and Ambiance
Axis Design Group
General Contractors:
GDG Breton et Construction
O’Brien Steel Consulting
Awards
Winner
Commendation
Shortlisted
Ruin and recovery
The ‘Marché en Fer’ is a unique structure, with an extraordinary history closely tied to the nation’s development. Its two cast- and wrought-iron‑framed halls and ornate connecting gate with four domed, minaret-like towers were originally fabricated in Paris by engineers Baudet Donon & Cie, intended for use as a rail station in Cairo. When that plan was cancelled, the structure was redirected to Haiti in unknown circumstances – likely purchased by president Florvil Hyppolite as part of his plan to modernise Port-au-Prince. Shipped to the island for assembly in 1891, the market became a proud symbol for the city, appearing on Haiti’s 1000 gourde bank note.
Damage caused by the consecutive disasters was extensive. The fire destroyed the north hall, and the subsequent earthquake caused severe damage to the southern range and partially collapsed the central section, leaving the tower buckled and burnt, but still standing.
In 2011 a multinational design team was assembled to carry out a detailed assessment, and consider options for salvage and reconstruction. Led by JMP, it included engineers Alan Baxter and ADG. Working with the Haitian Institute for the Protection of National Heritage, the team devised a reconstruction scheme combining restoration of original iron components where possible, and steel replacements for elements that were beyond repair.
The 2000-square-metre, 11-metre-high north hall had to be entirely rebuilt. Standard American-manufactured steel components chosen for economy and speed, and composed to echo the scale, form, and detailing of the original frame.
Though the matching south hall was heavily damaged, much of its ironwork remained. Structural elements were dismantled, restored, and reassembled with reinforced connections. Damaged components were replaced with ironwork salvaged from the north hall. Additional column anchors and X-bracing were introduced to increase resistance to earthquakes and hurricanes.
Rebuilding the clock tower was especially challenging. New foundations stabilised the structure, which was repaired using a combination of new and salvaged components. Haitian craftsmen repaired or replaced decorative ironwork based on original fabric, and clay roof tiles were sourced from the French manufacturer that supplied them in 1891. With the clocks damaged beyond repair, identical replicas were commissioned, and backlit for night-time visibility.
Roofing was replaced with durable corrugated steel, and solar panels were installed to provide electricity independently of the city’s unreliable grid. They power lighting and large ceiling fans that enhance natural ventilation. Reuse of materials was prioritised: bricks from low perimeter walls, and tiles retrieved from the rubble were cleaned and re-integrated into the new structure.
A wider legacy
As tenants had lost their livelihoods with the building’s destruction, reconstruction was organised to provide hundreds of much-needed jobs. Local artisans produced intricate decorative metalwork for the arched and louvred façades, and were supplied with laser-cutters, enabling development of new techniques. They also restored the building’s distinctive red and green paintwork. Up to 750 workers were on site every day, allowing construction to progress at speed despite unstable soil, a cholera outbreak and a tropical storm that halted work for weeks.
The market was reopened by US President Bill Clinton on the first anniversary of the earthquake – the first public building to be brought back into use. It welcomed back all of the traders but also serves new purposes in the city: removal of a collapsed 1960s deck that linked the halls allowed the reinstatement of a promenade through the central tower, and with it, the potential for a new market quarter in the neighbourhood beyond. In every aspect of the project, rebuilding the Iron Market sought lasting social and cultural effects: supporting local employment, developing valuable skills, and fostering renewed optimism and community pride in the people of Port-au-Prince.
