At the intersection of Duarte and Sánchez streets, in the heart of San Pedro de Macorís, stands the imposing Morey Building, an architectural jewel that reflects the city’s grandeur in the early decades of the 20th century. Built in 1915 by engineers Nicolás Cortina, José Turul, Jaime Malla, and José Domenech, this building became a benchmark of modernity and distinction in the Dominican Republic.
Morey Building: Unique architecture with a Victorian stamp
The Morey Building, erected during the height of the economic boom in San Pedro de Macorís, combines the Victorian style with Gothic elements and ornamental details characteristic of European architecture. Its most prominent feature is the angular tower, of Gothic inspiration, embellished with French stained glass windows that imparted elegance and prestige.
Among the decorative elements that enhance its design are cornices adorned with garlands, darts, ogees, corbels, portholes, keystones, and pilasters, in addition to the ironwork that completed its refined finish. This ornamental richness made the Morey Building a symbol of status and modernity in the Caribbean of that era.
Historical uses: commerce and hospitality
Since its inception, the building served a mixed function that met the needs of a city experiencing rapid economic growth thanks to the sugar industry.
- On the ground floor of Sánchez street, the Morey Hardware Store was established, a very popular and bustling meeting point for merchants and business owners.
- On Duarte street operated the prestigious Hotel Saboya, also known as the Grand Hotel, whose rooms occupied the second and third floors.
This hotel was considered the first three-story building in the country and quickly gained fame as the most distinguished accommodation of its time, welcoming travelers and prominent figures arriving in the flourishing city.
Heritage and memory of San Pedro
Beyond its architectural importance, the Morey Building symbolizes the cultural and economic grandeur experienced by San Pedro de Macorís in the first half of the 20th century. It witnessed an era in which the city stood out as a hub of development, innovation, and cosmopolitanism.
Today, this building remains a historical and heritage landmark, not only for the Dominican Republic, but for all of Latin America, as it is capable of evoking the splendor of an era when San Pedro shone brightly in the country.
