A vibrant new restaurant in the historic Market Buildings
Establishing a new restaurant in St Peter Port’s historic Market Buildings presented both a rare opportunity and a significant challenge. At every stage, Alba demanded sensitivity, precision and collaboration.
The space’s most defining feature—historic tiles from its former use as a butchery and fowlery—made the heavy works exceptionally delicate operation. Installing a modern commercial kitchen within this setting required out-of-the-box thinking and absolute precision. Services were fed through tight voids with millimetre tolerances, and a custom-built steel framework had to be installed without compromising the surrounding heritage surfaces.
Much of the renovation was bespoke, hand-built on site and often tailored around vintage pieces sourced by Simply Lifestyle Guernsey. The creative layout, warm tones and textures and restored period features make Alba stand out—not just in terms of design, but in how it reinvigorates the Market Buildings.
Despite the constraints presented by the space, the result is a striking blend of bold contemporary design and rich historical texture. Transforming a vacant unit into a vibrant, high-quality restaurant and bar that opens directly onto Market Square, Alba has helped inject new energy into this historic part of town.
2025
St Peter Port, Guernsey
Contractor: Select Carpentry Services
Interior styling: Simply Lifestyle and David Matheson
Photography: Etienne Laine