The property that houses Brantford’s iconic Crystal Cottage may soon be recognized as a property of cultural heritage value.
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City councilors at a Tuesday committee-of-the-whole meeting recommended for approval heritage designation of 53 Charlotte St. Their decision will come before council for approval on Jan. 28.
The Crystal Cottage was previously located at 35 Chatham St. and the property had heritage designation. The cottage was moved to 53 Charlotte St. as part of a rezoning application to facilitate a major redevelopment of sections of Market and Chatham streets.
City councilors were told the heritage designation the cottage had on Chatham Street doesn’t carry over to the property at 53 Charlotte St. As a result, the cottage’s new home must be designated a heritage property.
The relocation, done in partnership with the Brant Historical Society, saved the Crystal Cottage from demolition and was completed in November 2021.
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As part of the deal, the developer would cover the cost of moving the building. When the developer went bankrupt, the historical society found itself with a building in bad need of repair and few funds to complete the project.
The problem was solved by selling the building to Dan and Carol Lyn Brown, of Dan Brown Home Reconstruction, who spent seven months restoring the home.
Built around 1876, the home includes Bixel Beer bottles in the mortar about three feet below the eaves.
As part of the restoration work, the Browns used materials from other buildings including the former Red Cross building on William Street, which was demolished in July.
Trim and mirrors in the home come from the former Red Cross building, some doors come from Brantford Collegiate Institute and some of the bricks were picked up from demolition projects in the city.
During the restoration, the Browns reached out to the community for messages that could be put in the beer bottles that were replaced during the renovation. The couple received baby photos, wedding invitations and love letters
The Crystal Cottage is now listed for sale.
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