Revitalizing ByWard Market: A New Era for a Historic Landmark

Ottawa’s ByWard Market, established in 1826 by Lt-Col. John By, has long been a cornerstone of Canadian commerce and culture. Over the centuries, the market has transformed in response to growth and adversity, including rebuilding after devastating fires. By the 2010s, however, the streetscape at George Street Plaza had become a lackluster space—a concrete expanse with sparse shade and ad-hoc vending structures. In 2016, the City of Ottawa launched a revitalization project, enlisting Studio Red Landscape Architecture to reimagine this key gateway to ByWard Market.

Studio Red’s principal, Kaja Cerveny, OALA, CSLA, drew inspiration from the market’s vibrant past, incorporating crate-shaped seating elements to reference the bustling days when crates of produce lined the streets. These modern interpretations, designed in collaboration with Maglin Site Furniture, became the centerpiece of the redesign. Crafted with powder-coated steel bases in a warm Corten hue and topped with durable Ipe wood, the crates were arranged in various configurations to provide seating options, including 20% accessible seating, and to encourage social interaction.

Beyond their aesthetic and historical nod, the crates include innovative features such as integrated LED lighting, which casts a welcoming glow at night, and a misting function that cools visitors and pets during Ottawa’s hot summer days. These elements transformed the plaza into a dynamic and inviting space, aligning with the market’s legacy as a hub of activity and gathering.

The redesign of George Street Plaza captures the spirit of ByWard Market’s history while creating a functional, community-centered space for the present. It serves as a testament to thoughtful urban design, blending practicality, history, and innovation to breathe new life into one of Canada’s most iconic public markets.

Project Collaborators