The historic Murray Premises is the oldest collection of mercantile buildings in the Province related to the fishing industry. The Murray Premises, which survived the Great Fires, was named after Andrew H. Murray, a 19th century merchant of salt, coal, and general supplies. These waterfront buildings have been used as warehouses, offices, and machine shops. For more than one hundred years, the Murray Premises has been a major highlight of the St. John’s waterfront. The buildings were originally built on pilings sunk into the harbour floor. Most were constructed with masonry walls, wood floors, and wood interior supports. Some feature brick infill interior walls of timber frame not unlike the half-timber construction of the European middle ages. In the 1970s the Newfoundland Historic Trust and the St. John’s Heritage Foundation saved the Premises from destruction and helped begin the preservation of the structures. The restoration plan allowed for as much of the original character of the buildings to be maintained while converting the buildings into a modern commercial complex. Within approximately eight months after the restoration began, 70 percent of the commercial space was leased. The official Grand Re-opening of the Premises was held on November 30, 1979. During the 1980s and 1990s, ownership of the Murray Premises changed several times. In 1996, a local businessman, William Mahoney, purchased the property and is still the owner. Since that time, all of the commercial space has been leased and the Murray Premises, being a modern pedestrian mall retaining the charm and character of long ago, has become a highlight of any visitor’s trip to St. John’s. Early in 2000, the third and fourth floors were renovated and developed into hotel rooms. Guests began staying at St. John’s first boutique hotel, Murray Premises Hotel, in May 2001. The most recent development in the history of the Murray Premises is the renovations to the second floor of the premises and the expansion of Murray Premises Hotel. Murray Premises Hotel’s Executive Suites opened in July 2006.

Close Window