The site of the Victoria Park Market buildings was originally part
headland and part
foreshore of Freemans Bay. In the late 1870s the bay began to be reclaimed, and various commercial and residential buildings were erected on the widened foreshore. The street directly behind and above the market runs along the top of the ancient sea cliff. Fear of
bubonic plague from rats Auckland residents disposing of rubbish in vacant lots led the
Auckland City Council to consider a purpose-built incinerator in 1900. Construction of the Meldrum Destructor was tendered in 1904 to J. Barre Johnston Ltd of Sydney, and completed in 1905. The amount of power generated did not meet demand, so three 225 kW steam generators were installed soon afterwards. A further redevelopment was delayed by the
2008 financial crisis but a NZ$20 million refurbishment began in 2012 and was complete by mid-2013. The refurbished market was branded as an urban village, an upmarket retail precinct in a heritage setting, with offerings including lifestyle and beauty stores, cafes, delicatessens, restaurants and bars. == References ==