F. Morgan Budiling

Built in 1910 to a design by architect W.C. Stevens, the F. Morgan Building had a commercial outlet on the main floor with lodging above. 

From one side of the building, Frank W. Morgan, a successful businessman, operated the Empress Pool Hall, which continued under a succession of different names until the 1930s.

A variety of other tenants occupied the remaining space on the ground floor. The range of commercial and retail enterprises that were established in the building are significant in that they catered to the typical, everyday requirements of a thriving neighbourhood, such as grooming (shoe shine, barber shop), entertainment (pool hall, tobacconist), and meals (café, grill, bakery and restaurant). The upper storeys are still used as residences.

The F. Morgan Building is significant for its location in an area of early commercial activity. It is part of a cluster of early hotels and lodgings which were built in the first decade of the twentieth century for travellers and businessmen. Most included a restaurant, as guests were unable to prepare food in their rooms. In addition, recreational outlets were required by the largely-male travelling population; these were available at several hotels and adjacent locations.

The building’s simple ornamentation and symmetry speak to the changing public taste from the highly decorated facades of the Victorian period to the more restrained ornamentation of the Edwardian era.

Source

Canada's Historic Places

More information

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=8508&pid=0