[3] The government of New Brunswick enacted a law permitting a public fish market, located in the Water Street slips to be operated by the city of Saint John, in 1855.

[3][5] The first two buildings to house the market, both made of wood, were destroyed by fire.

[8] The City Market has a unique interior roof structure, which resembles an inverted ship's keel.

[9] Made of wooden trusses, the structure was reportedly built by unemployed ship carpenters of the day.

Facing onto Kings Square, the market is connected to the city's indoor pedway system.