Case Study: Mercato Metropolitano

Feb 18

Adaptive reuse anchored by flexible public space.

Mercato Metropolitano is a food-centered mixed-use destination located in Elephant & Castle, Southwark, within Greater London (population approximately 9 million). Opened in 2016, the market occupies a former papermaking factory that was repurposed as a temporary use while long-term redevelopment plans for the site were evaluated. Rather than treating the temporary condition as a limitation, the project leveraged it to test a dense, community-focused program built around food, shared space, and daily use.

The former factory’s large, open industrial volumes provided the physical framework for a highly flexible public environment. Painted brick, exposed concrete, and high ceilings were retained, reinforcing the site’s industrial character while allowing food vendors, communal seating, and event spaces to coexist within a single, legible market identity.

Program of Spaces

Food market w/40+ independent vendors
Market components, including cheese mongers, coffee roasters, and bakeries
Global offerings representing a wide range of cuisines
Bars and informal gathering spaces
Indoor communal tables and outdoor courtyard seating
Garden areas, food trucks, and flexible event zones

Wi-Fi-enabled social and work-friendly spaces

Operations & Public Use

Mercato Metropolitano operates as an open, all-day environment designed to support multiple uses simultaneously. Food is the primary draw, but the layout encourages visitors to linger—meeting friends, working informally, attending events, or spending extended time on site. Uniform branding and signage reinforce the perception of a single market rather than a collection of individual stalls.

The project emphasizes independent traders, shared amenities, and a revenue model designed to support small operators. Programming, music, cinema, and community events supplement daily activity rather than replace it, thereby allowing the market to function reliably outside peak times or special occasions.

Impact

Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle attracts approximately 60,000 visitors per week, making it one of London’s highest-volume food markets. Despite its temporary status, the market became a consistent destination for locals and visitors, demonstrating sustained performance through everyday use rather than reliance on long-term tenancy or permanent build-out. Its success led to the expansion of the Mercato Metropolitano concept to additional locations, including Milan and Mayfair.

What its success says about the DL&W project.

Mercato Metropolitano exemplifies how adaptive reuse, with a focus on food, event programming, and public space, can activate an underutilized industrial site. Its performance highlights the effectiveness of its cohesive branding, flexible layouts, ability to support temporary brand activations, food options, and programming create repeat use and a strong public identity. These principles apply to sites like the DL&W, where food, culture, and gathering are central to daily activity.