Pullman Market

Set within the historic Samuels Glass building, the new Pullman Market offers a symphony of sensory delights that invite visitors to embark on a journey of discovery with the rich foodways and bounty of Texas. The design preserves the nearly 54,000-square-foot building’s shell and structure, eliminating tons of waste from local landfills, while revealing the building’s hard won patina and adding to the historic and cultural fabric of its context. Pullman Market is the latest building to be reworked by Clayton Korte, who have been working on the Pearl District’s renaissance since 2013. Previous work includes the design and restoration of spaces such as Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, the Bottling Dept. Food Hall, and Stable Hall, a 19th-century stable turned music venue.

The newly invigorated building features original clay tile and polished concrete floors, while the former loading dock has been transformed into a light-filled courtyard. The roof was upgraded for energy performance, and new low-E insulated windows reduce heat gain. The strategic introduction of new elements and materials contrast and enrich the tactile experience that is both captivating and engaging.

The building’s unusual shape informed the layout. “It starts to get weird and funky in some places, so we tried to react to that,” architect Sam Manning explains. “Double-height spaces were created for key entry points supporting natural wayfinding and “wow-factor” moments. Indoor plants form pockets of greenery that catch the eye and play to both the humility of the original materials and grandeur of the place. Varied materials, graphics, lighting, architecture, and branding converge to create distinct moments throughout that celebrate Texas’ expansive, bountiful nature.

Visitors are drawn into the market’s vibrant atmosphere via light-filled patios created by infill between structural elements that connect to the rest of Pearl’s bustling pedestrian experience. Inside, a set of uniquely designed spaces showcase the products of more than 150 Texas-based suppliers—all located within 100 miles of the market—resulting in a rich tapestry of distinctly Texan textures, flavors, and aromas. “Collaboration with bakers, butchers, baristas, chefs, and fishmongers was at the heart of the design process,” notes Manning. “Each artisan had a hand in shaping the space, with the owner’s chefs, department managers, and bar managers working closely with the design team to display, front and center, the process each artisan undergoes for their craft. It is truly special to witness and learn from these craftspeople as they create their culinary masterpieces, a testament to the power of collaboration and the art of craftsmanship.”

The market is a sensory feast, a celebration of the state’s rich cultural heritage, and a testament to the power of adaptive reuse and preservation. At Pullman Market, all visitors can reconnect with the state’s land, people, and culinary traditions.

Design: Clayton Korte
Photography: Casey Dunn