It's been over four years since designs were approved for a brand new St. Lawrence Market North building, but you'd be forgiven for forgetting that the project was still in the works given that very little by way of progress has happened since that time. There is, however, a light at the end of the tunnel -- one that market-visitors will be able to get a glimpse of soon.

Thanks to Urban Toronto, we now have an idea of what the temporary structure slated to replace the north building will look like. The first signs of construction have popped up at 125 Esplanade, where business will be conducted during the demolition of the current north market and its eventual replacement, which is slated for completion in 2016.

The temporary market isn't altogether that exciting in and of itself, even if it looks like it will be a big, high-ceilinged space. What's most noteworthy about construction starting on the project is that it promises that progress is actually being made toward the realization of the gorgeous new North Market building from Adamson Associates Architects and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Even if the plans have been scaled back since they were originally pitched, the new building should prove to be a dramatic edition to the Market area -- once the thing is actually built. At last there is a sign of progress to get excited about.