Started in 1907, the Pike Place Market is a nine-acre historic district managed by the Pike Place Market Preservation and Dev ... elopment Authority (PDA). Within its historic district are 24 buildings, 222 independently owned shops & restaurants, 69 farmers, 150 craftspeople and more than 450 residents. In addition, there are social services--a senior center, preschool and childcare center, assisted living, medical clinic, and food bank--that serve thousands of people every day. Most Market properties are owned and managed by the PDA, a public not-for-profit corporation chartered by the City of Seattle in 1973 to act as steward and caretaker of the historic properties within the Market Historic District. read more