Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-773165-20140706181355/@comment-25131562-20140808132243

I was able to get to the market on android, and go to the structure purchase screen, and actually 'purchase' and 'place' something, but it did not cost anything, did not function, and did not remain after I left the island and returned, either to another island or again to the market.

So, it appears to be momentary and purely cosmetic, if anyone was feeling jealous about it.