The Morrow Building (1880), showing the 1882 addition on the left, and the Pig’s Ear building to the right.

The Morrow Building

This iconic Peterborough Second Empire commercial building stands, literally and figuratively, in the midst of an architectural conservation controversy.  A real estate development company has received demolition permits for both the 1882 addition to the Morrow Building and the (1865) Pig’s Ear tavern around the corner.   The developer wants to raze the two buildings and erect high end apartments.  They do not want to compromise by including the historic structures in the new construction.
The northern addition to the original building never had a mansard roof like the original.   Both were designed by John E. Belcher, renowned Peterborough architect of the Victorian era.
The Pig’s Ear structure is two years older than Canada; it served as a pub since 1865. 


Only the original Morrow Building is protected by a Heritage Designation, and it is not owned by the developer.  Why the real estate developer purchased the buildings on both sides of the Morrow Building for this project is not general knowledge. 
On Monday, April 3, 2017, Peterborough City Council voted 7 to 2 in favor of developer Parkview Homes.  Heritage designations will not be placed on the two buildings, however, City Council would like the City and the developer to work together to preserve as much of the architecture as possible.
View of all three structures from the rear




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