Formerly a warehouse, it was converted and then opened to the public in September 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic to offer food services to the community in an open-air space.

[4][5][6] The Marina Market opened in September 2020[1] amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic; As businesses sought open-air venues to work out of in order to continue operations, the site of the Southern Fruits Distribution Company warehouse at Centre Park Road was investigated.

[3] In November 2022, planning permission was sought for the first time to retroactively cover the venue, however, it was rejected by Cork City Council.

[8] The council suggested that the venue did not have the infrastructure required to support the foot, bicycle and car traffic being drawn towards it.

[12] In September 2023, a second proposal was granted planning permission by the council, with the Health and Safety Authority stating that it had no objections to the development.