The unusual structure of the market was designed in the late 1960s by three Melbourne University graduates. The market itself was opened in August 1970, and on the first Saturday it was open, 15th August 1970, over 20,000 people came to the market, requiring special traffic control.

By 2017, Preston Market had become the second largest market in Melbourne, with 80,000 visitors per week to the over 140 stalls and 10 kiosks.

A 2020 report from RBA Architects highlights local heritage significance in four key areas. The report very clearly concludes that the original market footprint and fabric should be protected. ‘The Preston Market has been determined to be of local historical, aesthetic, technical and social significance to the City of Darebin. As such, it is recommended that heritage protection for the site is sought by applying the Heritage Overlay.’

The Victorian Planning Authority has failed to respect the heritage values of the market and recommends that only one third of the original fabric of the building is retained. They have said nothing about how historical and cultural heritage is to be protected.

2020 was the Preston Market’s 50th birthday. Let’s make sure that in 2070 we are celebrating its 100th!

When locals think of Preston they don’t think of Bunnings, Officeworks or Northland, they think of Preston Market. Many people have a long family connection to the Preston Market – it was built in 1970, and before then it was a tannery. Prior to colonization the Wurundjeri people lived in and around the area for thousands of years. Preston Market is Melbourne’s second largest market, with over 6000sqm of market tenancies. Stalls range from fresh produce to supermarkets and variety stores. It is 9 km north from the Melbourne central business district. It’s not unusual to talk to someone at the market and find out that they have been visiting since they were a kid, going every Saturday morning with their Nana, and that they never stopped.

But what about if you have never been to the market before? It can be quite an overwhelming experience, from finding parking in the busy car park to understanding what the stallholders are yelling about as the market gets towards closing time. But worry no more! This guide to a day at Preston Market has everything you need to know to have a beautiful day at our beloved market. Find out why so many in the community are prepared to work so hard to stop it from being redeveloped.

The Preston Market redevelopment is involves the demolition of the majority of the market: it will be replaced with several high-rise buildings containing over 2000 apartments. Good planning ensures that growth is accommodated in a sustainable way that brings new amenities, community infrastructure and open space, but the current VPA plan does just the opposite. Why would the state government say yes to this? We don’t know, but we suspect it has something to do with hundreds of millions of dollars in potential developer profits.