Designed by famed engineer Timoteo Luberza,[2] it occupies a city block in the Ponce Historic Zone at the grid formed by Calle Atocha, Estrella, Leon, and Castillo streets.

[5] The building was erected from plans by Timoteo Luberza in 1863, who modeled it after Les Halles, the market of Paris in France.

[10] Starting in 1981, and for the next 26 years, Plaza del Mercado shopkeepers operated out of a new building at the grid formed by Calle Guadalupe, Salud, Estrella and Mayor streets, two blocks east of the historic Plaza del Mercado Isabel II.

[14] The remodeling of the old Plaza del Mercado Juan Bigas building to be used for municipal government services will occur at a cost of $6.828 million.

[15] A 27 July 2011, news report stated work on the Bigas building would commence in October 2011 at an expected cost of $15 million.

[16] A 26 June 2013 news report indicated that renovations had been completed and the first two floor of the facility would reopen by the end of July 2013.

[3][7] Air conditioning was added to Plaza del Mercado Isabel II in 1984 when the Pitusa supermarket moved in.

[20] In 1992 Plaza del Mercado Isabell II was turned into a multi-use building that included parking, businesses, and private office space.

[11][22] "The phenomenon of this building, unique in Puerto Rico, is that despite its enlargements, its interior still preserves the original structure.