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Read the press release here.

City Stops Construction of New Meatpacking District Open-Air Market

By Andrea Swalec | August 29, 2012 1:20pm

MEATPACKING DISTRICT — The city has halted a plan by the company behind the Union Square Holiday Market to finish work on its new open-air bazaar set to open Saturday across from The Standard Hotel, saying organizers never asked for their permission to build it. 

UrbanSpace NYC was ordered to stop construction of UrbanSpace Meatpacking on Friday, Department of Buildings records show. 

A DOB inspection completed then found that tents and decking used to house more than 60 trendy food vendors and retailers were being built without a permit, according to the stop-work order. 

The company responded by applying for the appropriate permits on Tuesday, DOB records show. 

UrbanSpace Meatpacking will have space for more than 60 food vendors and retailers
UrbanSpace Meatpacking will have space for more than 60 food vendors and retailers
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UrbanSpace NYC

"We're still planning on opening Saturday," a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

But a DOB spokesman said the stop-work order will stay in effect as the permit requests are being processed.

Workers at the scene Wednesday confirmed the Saturday opening date and said the only work that needed to be done was on the part of vendors setting up their individual stalls. They did not appear to be performing any construction Wednesday afternoon.

The "ultimate pop-up market," located on the northwest corner of West 13th and Washington streets next to the High Line, is set to be packed with vendors and retailers including Roberta's Pizza, Mexicue and Red Hook Lobster Pound, according to UrbanSpace NYC. 

The market will be open seven days a week and also features a "high-end juice bar" called Mixology Garden.

"The Garden will act as a refreshing detox center in the midst of the bar-studded Meatpacking District," the statement said. 

Vendors who plan to set up shop at UrbanSpace Meatpacking took to social media to voice their excitement about the market. 

"One week until you'll be able to visit us every day," the company La Sonrisa Empanadas posted on the market's Facebook page last week. "We can't wait, spread the news!"