At the time of the earthquake in 2010 the Iron Market consisted of a single-storey market building in cast iron and a famous clock tower in wrought iron. The building is the Haitian equivalent of Grade 1. The earthquake caused the collapse of part of the market building, and considerable damage to the clock tower. A structural assessment, made in very difficult conditions immediately after the earthquake, established that contrary to the expectations of the locals, the buildings could be saved. The end of the market building was eased back into place. The tower was stabilised by putting concrete galoshes round the column bases.

"This was real hands-on engineering in extremely difficult conditions. Methods for the restoration of the building had to be found that took account of the very limited technical skills available."