Central Market, known locally as Phsar Thmei or Phsar Thmey ("New Market"), is one of Phnom Penh's most iconic landmarks and a defining example of Art Deco architecture in Southeast Asia. It was built between 1935 and 1937 under French colonial rule, designed by French architect Jean Desbois. The market replaced an older marshy area that had previously been drained and filled, transforming what was once a swamp into a bustling commercial hub at the heart of the city.
Constructed from reinforced concrete—an innovative material choice for its time in Cambodia—the market features a distinctive dome-shaped central structure with four wings radiating outward in a cross formation, allowing natural light and ventilation to flow through the building. At the time of its completion, the dome was reportedly the largest in Asia, and the structure quickly became a symbol of modern urban design in colonial Phnom Penh.
Painted a striking mustard yellow, Phsar Thmey has survived decades of political upheaval, including the Khmer Rouge era, when much of the city's commercial life was suspended. Around 2009 - 2011, the market underwent a significant renovation, partly funded by the French Development Agency, restoring its original Art Deco character while modernising its infrastructure. Today, it remains a vibrant centre for shopping, food, and daily life in the capital.
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Living near Central Market suits young Khmer professionals working in Phnom Penh's emerging business and banking district, who can walk or take a short tuk-tuk ride to the office. It also appeals to families with children at the Lycée Descartes, and to western expats looking for an upbeat, central lifestyle, with markets, cafés, restaurants and the riverside all close at hand.
