Have you heard about the Essex Crossing mega-project on the Lower East Side?

If you haven't, let us catch you up. The developers of the Essex Crossing have announced serval commercial tenants will be a part of the project, according to The Lo-Down.

There will be a 14-screen Regal Cinemas theater, a bowling alley and entertainment venue called Splitsville Lanes, and a low-cost Planet Fitness gym.

Then, in the crossing's center, will be the Market Line. The Market Line is going to be a 700 foot-long, semi-underground public market. Mark our words, it's going to be the next big thing.

The Market Line is envisioned as the centerpiece to the 6 acre Essex Crossing development, and it's going to connect Broome Street, Ludlow Street, and Attorney Street together. Underground.

Together with the Essex Street Market, the Market Line will cover 150,000 square feet, making it one of the top five largest public markets in the country.

The two-level promenade will have a 40-foot wall of class woven through the Market Line, dubbed the light scoop. 

The first floor will be below ground and the second floor will be at street level, and the entire space will be exposed to natural light.

There will also be the Broome Street Gardens, a 9,000 square-foot quasi indoor space above the market with a 60-foot tall cathedral-like ceiling.

It won't just be a food hall. Developers are aiming for a diverse retail mix, with clothing boutiques, artisans, galleries, and service providers like watch repair and beauty shops.

Via SHoP Architects

"You'll be able to get whatever you want, whether it's your meat, your fish, your cheese, your jeans, your hats; you'll get your watch fixed. You're going to get a haircut. You want to grab a sandwich. All those things will be in this market," said Andrew Katz, who's spearheading commercial leasing for Delancey Street Associates with Rohan Mehra.

Delancey Street Associates is not planning on signing with big national chains for the Market Line.

"They will be guys that, if you know them, you know them from other New York City neighborhoods because they're the best at what they do," said Mehra.

Via SHoP Architects

You'll also be able to get tipsy before you do all this shopping, hair cutting, and watch fixing. There will be a 3,000-square foot beer hall on the lower level. 

The purpose of the market is to create opportunities for startups and other independent businesses by offering them smaller, therefore affordable, spaces.

"Not every tenant can pay the same. Our rent will be adjusted so we can bring all of those diverse users in," said Mehra.

The first part of the Market Line is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Since they won't break ground on the second phase until 2017, it's going to be awhile before we can dine, shop, and get drunk at the Market Line.

Via SHoP Architects

Hopefully in 2018, though, we'll be able to shop at the 40 or so retailers at the New Essex Street Market.

If you're worried that the market will be nothing more than a glorified shopping mall, don't. Mehra is worried about that too, and has the concern on lock.

"It should be a microcosm of the Lower East Side," Mehra said. "We want the locals to be there because that's what makes it a public market. Otherwise it could be anywhere ... It needs to feel like the Lower East Side."

Via SHoP Architects

We're grateful that Mehra and Katz are tuned into our #SaveNYC concerns. 

Though we're not stoked about all the construction, we're excited to finally be able to have a community market that's on the level of the Pike Place Market in Seattle or the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. It's about time.

We'll keep you updated as we learn more about the exciting new market.

Check Out Never-Before-Seen Photos of the World’s First Underground Park. 

[via The Lo-Down]