Rosemount Cottage Elora

c 1870

255 Geddes Street

CDN $895,000

Situated on the upper Grand River, Elora was founded in the 1830s by adventurous Scottish entrepreneurs. Now internationally known for it's World Class Music Festival, it does Ontario proud.

Rosemount Cottage was built in the early 1870s in the Italianate Revival style. The current owner, an architect, blends the majesty with the contemporary in perfect harmony.

Originally a private home, it was converted to a Boarding School, where Pauline M. McGibbons – the First Lieutenant Governor planted the trees in the front, before the current owner took over . Originally from Toronto and scion of a prominent graphic design house, C.B. fell in love both with Elora and “the one” – the current reincarnation is a labour of love for some 20 years in the making. A charming Century Home by itself, C.B. linked the 600 sq.ft. Carriage House, now a Garage, with a new structure – similar to ROM’s Crystal, as it should be, in Glass with a 12” Ceiling by way of a Corrugated Steel Roof (ideal for nude sunbathing) and industrial strength Steel Trusk. He gutted the interiors (save the Family Room) with all new 1" copper plumbing and copper wiring, Asphalt Roof (2005), 2 x 200 AMPs Service, 3 Furnaces and 3 Central Air.

Other than the Kitchen, my favourite part of the house is the walled Terrazzo and Pond with fish year round. The BBQ Pit is built right into the wall.

Sold ~ 115% Over Asking

"Cottage" is a misnomer. Imposing, yet discreet, with the Stone Facade and Pillars to both the Main Entrance and the Entrance to the Carriage House. The Landscaping and the Large Patio (app. 22' x 35') enclosed by a brick wall rising on one side for the Open Pit Fireplace gives the whole structure a "castle-like" feel. The Cascading Fish Pond is a nice added touch. The Living Room is spacious at 29' 2" x 14' 11" (two rooms were combined way back). The Open Space Kitchen with heated polished concrete floor with imbedded crushed stones, pop-up outlet bars on the painted concrete counters, imbedded lighting both on the floor, stainless appliances, commercial grade open trust steel roof (soaring I might add) and floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the Patio and Fish Pond rivals any Lofts in New York City. The complete package works well together - a perfect execution the current owner's grand vision of harmonious styling with the old against the new - revealing, undoubtedly, both talent and formal training in architecture.

The first time I have heard about Elora after arriving in Toronto decades ago was all about the Floating Barge Orchestra on the Waters of the Elora Gorge. After attending a few concerts in their annual Music Festival, I am most suitably impressed.