Temporary road closures to relocate the Crystal Cottage

Email icon Back to Search
Map of the route for the Crystal Cottage relocation

BRANTFORD, ON – The public is advised that beginning Sunday, November 7, 2021, a road closure will be in place along Nelson Street from Queen Street to Charlotte Street. A road closure will also be in place on Charlotte Street from Nelson Street to Wellington Street.

The road closure is required to relocate the Crystal Cottage from Chatham Street to facilitate a major redevelopment proposal for a 10-story mixed use building which would bring new residential units and 724 square metres of commercial space to the downtown. Brantford City Council made the relocation of the historic Crystal Cottage one of the conditions of development, to ensure that the Crystal Cottage was relocated before construction occurs.

Parking will be prohibited on Nelson Street from Queen Street to Charlotte Street on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While Nelson Street is closed during the morning to allow the relocation of the Crystal Cottage, the public can still cross Nelson Street during the morning at Market Street and George Street, but the intersections will temporarily close to allow the Crystal Cottage to move through safely. Charlotte Street from Nelson Street to Wellington Street will also be closed from Sunday, November 7, 2021 until Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

The Crystal Cottage’s new location will be next to the Brant Museum & Archives on Charlotte Street. The Brant Historical Society has contributed to the relocation by providing property within downtown Brantford to receive the Crystal Cottage. In order to assist the Brant Historical Society, Brantford City Council has provided a grant through the City’s Cultural and Built Heritage Program to assist with the costs of preparing the receiving site.

While we understand there is great interest in this project, members of the public are asked to avoid the area while work is underway since it is a very complex and sensitive process. This will help keep the public and the crew involved in the relocation safe.  

Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation while this work takes place.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the Crystal Cottage?
The Crystal Cottage is a one-storey single detached dwelling which has been 

designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Council designated the Crystal 
Cottage in 1985 on architectural grounds as an exceptional example of a 
cottage in the City. 

The Crystal Cottage is unique in the City of Brantford, and possibly even in the 
Province of Ontario because the front and side walls include rows of glass 
bottles. The course of bottles can be seen above the windows on the side walls 
and above and below windows on the front wall.
Why is the Crystal Cottage being relocated?
The Crystal Cottage is being relocated to facilitate the major redevelopment of 

31–35 Chatham Street and 120–138 Market Street. In November 2020, 
Brantford City Council approved the rezoning of the subject properties to 
facilitate a redevelopment proposal for a 10-storey mixed use building which 
would bring 200 residential units and new ground floor commercial space to the Downtown.

The relocation of the Crystal Cottage is just one of the conditions of redevelopment at 31-35 Chatham Street and 120-138 Market Street.
Who is paying to relocate the Crystal Cottage?
The Applicant, Market Street Development Inc., is paying for the relocation of the 

Crystal Cottage. They have retained a building mover and crew to complete the 
relocation process. 

The Brant Historical Society has contributed to the relocation by providing property within downtown Brantford to receive the Crystal Cottage. In order to assist the Brant Historical Society, Brantford City Council has provided a grant through the City’s Cultural and Built Heritage Program to assist with the costs of preparing the receiving site.
When will the Crystal Cottage relocation occur?
Phase 1: Sunday, November 7, 2021 

Time: between 8:30 am and 11:30 am. 

Route: From interim staging area at 120 Market Street to the former City Hall 
Parking Lot via Nelson Street. Escort to include two Brantford Police Service 
officers. 

Phase 2: Monday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 10, 2021 

Time: TBD based on conditions. 

Route: From the former City Hall parking lot staging area to receiving property 
(53 Charlotte Street) by crossing Charlotte Street. Charlotte Street will be closed 
to traffic to allow ramp construction to cross curbs and during relocation. 

Two Brantford Police Duty Officers will escort the cottage during Phase 1 of the 
move, and will provide traffic control and crowd control as necessary, pursuant 
to the Ministry of Transportation requirements. The Duty Officers are required as 
per requirements of the Road Occupancy permit and have been arranged by the 
Applicants.
Which streets will be affected by the relocation, and for how long?
Parking will be prohibited on Nelson Street during the relocation and signage to 

that effect will be in place on Friday. City Public Works Staff will also place road 
closure signage ahead of the move at two locations: at Queen Street and 
Nelson Street (east side of intersection) and at the intersection of Charlotte 
Street and Nelson Street (west side of intersection). 

While Nelson Street is closed during the morning to allow the relocation of the 
Crystal Cottage, the public can still cross Nelson Street during the morning as 
usual at Market Street and George Street, but officers from the Brantford Police 
Service will temporarily close each intersection to allow the Crystal Cottage to 
move through safely. After the Crystal Cottage arrives at the former City Hall 
parking lot, City Staff will do an inspection of Nelson Street before removing the 
signage at Queen Street and Charlotte Street.

Charlotte Street will also be used for the relocation of the Crystal Cottage. To 
facilitate the relocation, Charlotte Street will be closed ahead of Phase 1 and will 
remain closed until the Crystal Cottage is installed on its new foundation. The 
road closure is necessary to allow ramps to be built across the roadway to 
address the differences in height caused by curbs.
Is building relocation common?
Relocation of historic buildings is not a common practice, but it does happen 

from time to time. Historic buildings have been relocated in municipalities like 
Markham, Oakville, Hamilton, Burlington, and Ottawa. Relocation of any kind of 
building, historic or not, is a highly technical process because most buildings are 
not designed to be moved.
Can I come and watch the Crystal Cottage relocation?
While it may seem interesting to watch the Crystal Cottage be relocated, the 

relocation of buildings is a complex and sensitive process. To ensure that the 
relocation occurs safely, the City recommends that anyone who does not need 
to travel through the area avoids the area during the relocation process. This will 
help to keep the public and the crew involved in the relocation safe.
What is the Ontario Heritage Act and what does “designation” under the Act do?
The Ontario Heritage Act provides the framework for the protection of cultural heritage resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act gives municipalities the ability to identify and protect properties with cultural heritage value or interest through the process of designation. Designation of a property gives Council the authority to review proposals to alter, demolish, or remove a building on a designated property.

The City of Brantford Newsroom
Subscribe to News Alerts | City of Brantford Website | Privacy Policy
© City of Brantford, 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford