Before the project commenced, Sant Antoni had served continuously as a market for over a century without undergoing any thorough integral renovation. The conservation state of the different elements of the building, however, varied considerably.

The original structure (pillars, pipes, metal truss) was in a good state of conservation, with the exception of an area that been affected by settlement due to the unstable land (it was later discovered that the area corresponded to the old moat, which had been refilled).

The original roof of the market, made with glazed roof tiles on a ceramic tongue and groove joint, was replaced at some point with fibre cement wavy plates. Only the central roof lantern, which had been previously restored in the beginning of the 1990s, has conserved the original tiles.

The vertical enclosures of the building were composed of a stone and brick wall three meters tall, placed between the cast-iron pillars. This supported a structure of iron profiles with glazed terracotta, combined with windows in a wooden frame. The superior part, of great ornamental value, was in a state of disrepair, including both the metal carpentry and a large part of the glazed ceramic pieces, many of which were cut up and fractured.

The enclosure of the site, which dates from the time the market was built, goes along the entire block occupied by the market and consists of a two-meter tall wall, topped by a cast-iron railing. Two cast-iron gates provide access to each of the patios. Each of these host two pavilions, together with other annex buildings (storage, small sheds, chambers). All of these elements were considerably damaged.

The four large cast-iron gates to enter the market building itself had also been affected by the passing of time and were in a poor state of conservation.

The building includes many 19th century ornamental cast-iron components, which give much of its character to the building. These include the structural ornaments such as classical capitals, mouldings, as well as the arabesque ventilation grilles or the roof decorations. Many of these were very damaged or had simply disappeared.

In addition to the deterioration of the building and of its original elements, the market also underwent a substantial alteration when a canopy (8 meters wide and 4 meters tall) was built. As it surrounded the building, it concealed a large part of it and thus affected its appearance considerably.