Description of Historic Place

Located at the corner of George and Brock Streets in downtown Peterborough, the Morrow Building is an ornate commercial structure in the French Second Empire style. It is recognized for its heritage value by the City of Peterborough Bylaw 1995-77.

Heritage Value

The Morrow Building's heritage value resides in it being one of the City of Peterborough's last and most ornate commercial buildings in the French Second Empire style. Designed by John E. Belcher, one of early Peterborough's most prominent architects, it features a square mansard roof cut with dormers, high windows with elaborate surrounds and the cast iron details typical of
this style. Financed by Robert A. Morrow and built in 1878-1879, it was originally used as the local Post Office. The Post Office vacated the space in 1888, the building has been used for many different commercial purposes. Recently restored, the building is significant in the context of the historic downtown streetscape that anchors a corner lot in the downtown core.

Source: Heritage Designation Brief, Office of the Clerk, City of Peterborough Bylaw 1995-77

Character-Defining Elements

Key elements that embody the heritage value of the French Second Empire Style as demonstrated in the Morrow Building include:
- elliptical curved hoods
- the short square tower on the west facade with stylized Palladian window
- the rectangular plan with corner entrance bay
- the stone, cast iron, and wood ornamentation on the exterior of the building
- the pilasters on the ground floor supporting engaged arches over windows/entrances
- the original fenestration and hoods.