Description of Historic Place

Morris Tobacconists is a two-storey Georgian Style commercial building on Government Street.

Heritage Value

Morris Tobacconists is valued as the home of one of Victoria's oldest businesses, and as a rare surviving example of an early twentieth century retail interior in the city. Commissioned by businessman E.A. Morris, and completed c. 1910, it is significant that E.A. Morris, Tobacconist Ltd. (est. 1892) continues to conduct business from this site today. Designed by architect Thomas Hooper, the value of this unique building lies in its Georgian exterior and interior elements and detailing, and in its lavish building materials such as marble, onyx, and mahogany, which provide an excellent representation of the quaint high Victorian 'gentlemen's club' image suited to the typically male patrons of this specialty shop. Morris Tobacconists presents a unique contribution to the Government Street streetscape in its alluring shop front, gentlemanly facade and its masculine interior atmosphere.

Source: City of Victoria Planning and Development Department

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Morris Tobacconists include:
- the two-storey massing, and form articulated by strong proportions;
- the contribution of the façade to the Government Street streetscape, as seen in the distinctive street front facade characterized by such elements as large display windows and the exterior cladding and decorative materials, such as glazed tile, Mexican onyx, and leaded glass;
- the Georgian Style exterior elements such as the bilateral symmetry, the arched exterior doorway and semi-circular bracketed cornice, and the rusticated columns;
- the interior elements, such as the mahogany columns and pediment of the humidor, wall panelling, and display cases; wall mirrors, and leaded mirror domes in the ceiling;
- the onyx electrolier.