On the corner of Railroad Ave and E Maple St in downtown Bellingham sits a contemporary and elegant structure I love: The Depot Market Square. The glass and steel pavilion was completed and dedicated in the summer of 2006, and is most well known as the permanent home of the Bellingham Farmer’s Market.
The structure is owned and managed by the City of Bellingham. They’ve created a brochure with rental rates that you can access HERE, and it includes the following stats about the Square:
- The main building is 5200 square feet with restrooms and a small kitchen;
- The adjacent courtyard is 15000 square feet and includes an…
- 8200 square feet of covered shelters for activity space.
The building isn’t just spectacular to behold and be inside of, but also has some eco-friendly design elements. The steel beams and arches, for example, were salvaged from the old Highway 99 Bridge over the Skagit River. And there’s a rain water catchment and filtering system on the south side of the building.
The Square is leased by the Bellingham Farmer’s Market every Saturday April through December, but is available beginning at 6 p.m. on those days, and can be reserved up to 12 months in advance for any other day of the week year round. To give you an idea of rates, you can rent the 5200 square foot main building on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night from 6 p.m. to midnight for $300. Contact the City of Bellingham for more info.
I’d love to throw a party in this space with a thumping sound system and the latest kiteboarding and surfing flics projected on a giant screen while and endless flow of gourmet food and drinks are served.
What’s your dream use for this space? If you want to put together some kind of high energy function, give me a ring. I’m in!
