Climbing up a Vertical Neighborhood
Climbing up a Vertical Neighborhood
“Welcome! The Pike Place Market rises five floors above you, cleverly making use of the steep bluff below Pike Place. Between 1907 and 1922, the Market grew in popularity and buildings were expanded down the hill. Accessed by stairs, ramps, or elevators, the vertical neighborhood of businesses and services stretches across the hillside for four blocks.
Unlike most public markets, the buildings in Pike Place Market have everything people who live, work, and shop here need: from specialty stores and restaurants to a healthcare clinic, a senior center, a food bank, and a preschool – all topped off by affordable housing.”
Learn More About Our Social Services
Pike Place Market’s dedication to providing low-income housing and services sets it apart from other public markets and historic districts. In its charter, the Pike Place Market PDA is obligated to provide affordable housing – especially for seniors – and services to support a community of residents who live on low incomes.
Within the Market Historical District is an array of social-service agencies that serve the downtown Seattle and Pike Place Market neighborhood: among the services is a senior center that serves two nutritious meals a day, a food bank, a childcare and preschool, medical clinic, a neighborhood center, an assisted living facility, a behavioral health clinic, and a company dedicated to providing business training and coaching to new entrepreneurs. Vendors, residents, business owners, and neighbors can find resources to help them in their daily lives, regardless of age or economic status.
Pike Market Senior Center
& Food Bank
Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank is a resource for older residents living in and around the Market, and those living with the challenge of homelessness or food scarcity. The Food Bank provides free groceries and fresh produce donated by Market vendors and local grocers. The food bank provides more than one million pounds of food annually, with more than 80,000 shopping trips and home deliveries. The Senior Center serves a diverse membership of seniors aged 55 and up. The center offers free nutritious breakfasts and lunches each day and has social workers to help with housing and other necessities. It also offers activities such as dance classes, games, and student-senior partnerships.
Neighborcare Health
at Pike Place Market
Neighborcare Health at Pike Place Market provides a range of primary care health services to adults regardless of income or insurance status. The medical clinic provides care to more than 2,000 patients a year. The clinic also serves many seniors and low-income residents living in the Market.
Pike Market Child Care & Preschool
Pike Market Child Care & Preschool provides quality preschool available for families of all income levels, serving around 50 children annually. More than 70 percent of families receive financial assistance, and more than half of them are at or below the poverty line. The care focuses on helping children build social and learning skills necessary to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Heritage House
Heritage House at the Market is an assisted living facility in the heart of the vibrant Market neighborhood. Heritage House offers private apartments, on-site nursing services, and a rich quality of life to seniors, ranging from minimal service to more extensive care. As part of Providence Health and Services, qualified residents can also participate in ElderPlace, which provides even more comprehensive medical and social services.
Pike Place Market Foundation
The Pike Place Market Foundation operates services through The Market Commons, a community resource center available to anyone who lives, works or access services in the Market. The Market Commons also operates the Community Safety Net, offering support to people dealing with extreme hardship, and the Food Access Program that enables low-income shoppers to afford fresh, local produce at the Market and a Small Business Fund too.