Guyana plans restoration of Stabroek Market, full rebuild of Bourda Market
Key Points(5)
- Guyana’s historic Stabroek Market is set to undergo restoration and expansion, while the Bourda Market will be completely rebuilt as part of broader efforts to transform Georgetown, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand.
- Manickchand said the projects form part of the government’s long-term vision for revitalising the capital city while preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.
- “Before the next five years the Stabroek market is going to be restored and extended, and the Bourda market is going to be rebuilt completely,” she said during a recent episode of Guyana Dialogue .
- The minister explained that restoring Stabroek Market, one of Georgetown’s most recognisable landmarks, will require careful planning because of the building’s age and the need to balance preservation with the needs of vendors who depend on the facility.
- She acknowledged that the process would take time but said planning and preparatory work are already underway.
Guyana’s historic Stabroek Market is set to undergo restoration and expansion, while the Bourda Market will be completely rebuilt as part of broader efforts to transform Georgetown, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand.
Manickchand said the projects form part of the government’s long-term vision for revitalising the capital city while preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.
“Before the next five years the Stabroek market is going to be restored and extended, and the Bourda market is going to be rebuilt completely,” she said during a recent episode of Guyana Dialogue.
The minister explained that restoring Stabroek Market, one of Georgetown’s most recognisable landmarks, will require careful planning because of the building’s age and the need to balance preservation with the needs of vendors who depend on the facility.
“If you want to see a plan for that you can’t see it now because we are still in the process of getting the details of what restoration looks like when you are talking about something built a hundred years ago and then how do you accommodate the people who can no longer fit in this restored building by an extension that does not take away from the aesthetics from it,” Manickchand said.
She acknowledged that the process would take time but said planning and preparatory work are already underway.
Stabroek Market, which opened in 1880, is considered one of Georgetown’s most important historic structures. The iron-framed building has long served as a major commercial centre and a symbol of the city’s heritage.
Manickchand also revealed that the King’s Foundation is collaborating with the Government of Guyana on plans aimed at transforming Georgetown through a combination of restoration, urban planning and preservation initiatives.
She said the transformation would include improving transportation systems, protecting green spaces, preserving historic buildings and promoting Guyana’s arts and culture.
“The transformation of Georgetown includes the restoration of buildings that we have, how we can organise the city in a way so that transportation is orderly and that the usage of the roads is orderly, how we can maintain our green spaces so that we don’t give up that part of our heritage, how we could preserve our arts and our history, now that’s very detailed work,” she said.
The minister said developing Georgetown is not only about introducing modern infrastructure but also about protecting the city’s existing identity.
“We are not looking to only build out the glass buildings and the high rises, we are looking to restore,” she said.
The announcement comes as Guyana continues to experience rapid economic growth, with increased investment in infrastructure and urban development. The government has previously outlined plans to modernise Georgetown while addressing congestion, drainage, housing and public space challenges.
