Morse's Tea Building Signage

Keith P. · #1 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 2:43 PM**

Yesterday a crew painted over the iconic painted wall signage on the Morse's Tea building that had been a part of the Halifax downtown landscape for far beyond my memory. Pictures here:

http://contrarian.ca/2012/10/27/what...y-be-thinking/

We get hung up far too often over bogus "heritage" issues in Halifax, but this one is a real shame. I cannot understand how it was permitted.

jeddy1989 · #2 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 2:49 PM**

The same thing happened in St. John's to one of our oldest and most prominent murals

Before:

After:

What they did to the building was nice but they could have tried to preserve the mural

Whats with the removal of old tea signs? hahah

I REALLY do not understand the Halifax one :S why would they just remove the words .. doesn't seem to make any sense

MonctonRad · #3 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 2:52 PM**

WTF!!!

That old Morses Tea sign was truly iconic for the city.

What the hell were they thinking of.

terrynorthend · #4 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Yesterday a crew painted over the iconic painted wall signage on the Morse's Tea building that had been a part of the Halifax downtown landscape for far beyond my memory. Pictures here:

http://contrarian.ca/2012/10/27/what...y-be-thinking/

We get hung up far too often over bogus "heritage" issues in Halifax, but this one is a real shame. I cannot understand how it was permitted.

True shame. The cynical reality is probably something like this: Baton Rouge has an exclusive national deal with a particular food services supplier that uses a brand other than Morse's Tea, and they squealed about branding infringement. They do serve Pepsi products exclusively, and I believe Lipton is affiliated with PepsiCo. Purely speculation on my part, but...

SignalHillHiker · #5 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 3:05 PM**

It's so strange that they painted over it seemingly without purpose? It's not even part of a reclad?

Nilan8888 · #6 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 3:33 PM**

This is exactly why the Heritage Trust is useless.

Their job should have been preventing THIS rather than looking for new high buildings to prevent. Did they say ANYTHING about this??? If not, why are they even around?

cormiermax · #7 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 3:54 PM**

Unbelievable.

Jstaleness · #8 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 4:09 PM**

Is there a slight possibility that it is going to be repainted? Maybe they just started with the all white background and black will be applied later? Just trying to stay optimistic.

Keith P. · #9 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 4:26 PM**

I'm hearing rumors that it is going to say "Baton Rouge".

cormiermax · #10 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 4:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I'm hearing rumors that it is going to say "Baton Rouge".

Horrible, if so I hope they loose business and move out, then maybe the original sign can be restored.

Keith P. · #11 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 5:34 PM**

More rumors - Fillmore says it is just being restored.

fenwick16 · #12 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Yesterday a crew painted over the iconic painted wall signage on the Morse's Tea building that had been a part of the Halifax downtown landscape for far beyond my memory. Pictures here:

http://contrarian.ca/2012/10/27/what...y-be-thinking/

We get hung up far too often over bogus "heritage" issues in Halifax, but this one is a real shame. I cannot understand how it was permitted.

This a a shame and is certainly shocking. I have always known it as the Morses's Tea building.

On the other hand, the owners went to great expense to renovate the interior of the building and preserve its original structural elements. So I am disappointed but the owners deserve some leeway in order to recoup their renovation costs.

PS: I hope the rumours of it being restored are true.

JHikka · #13 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 5:41 PM**

I wouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly. Looks like they're restoring it if they painted it white again.

pblaauw · #14 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 10:31 PM**

Hell *will* freeze over if this isn't restored. I'm sure of it. Get out your parkas and toques, there might be another Ice Age a-comin'!

EDIT:
He talks of the Jerusalem warehouse building as though there are still people alive today who remember it.

Historic Morse's Tea building gets paint job

scooby074 · #15 Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 11:00 PM**

Again, where was the damned heritage trust on this one? Assuming it is a restoration, why not do a preemptive announcement either in the Herald or Baton Rouge's website?

Its an icon of the city and it damn well better be restored!!!

Wishblade · #16 Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 12:22 AM**

Quoted from a CBC article on the subject:

"It's being restored, rejuvenated, and rebranded," said Reznick. "Our building, which historically, fondly, and most importantly was known as the 'Jerusalem warehouse building' and will remain as the most significant gateway building to Historic Properties and downtown Halifax."

Sounds like its being replaced by the words 'Baton Rouge'.

Aya_Akai · #17 Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 1:19 AM**

I think we're going to have to wait and see about what they'll replace it with. THEN we get out the axes and pitchforks and go after the heritage trust!

To TerryNorthEnd.. they have a blurb on the menu, and had it posted online when they opened there saying that the restaurant, due to it's location IN that building that it exclusively provides Morse's Tea to it's patrons.

SignalHillHiker · #18 Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 1:24 AM**

One of you should email/call whoever owns this building now, or the business in it, and find out.

Keith P. · #19 Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 1:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

One of you should email/call whoever owns this building now, or the business in it, and find out.

Everybody's favorite journalist Tim Bousquet already did:

http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/...n-painted-over

cormiermax · #20 Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 1:43 AM**

So it is just being restored, thats good news.