BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WCAX) – The iconic Brooks House in downtown Brattleboro has been sold in an $8.5 million deal to new owners looking to the future of the building that has had a turbulent past.
The Brooks House sits in the heart of Brattleboro’s downtown and was first built more than 150 years ago.
“It’s a beautiful building,” said David Shlansky, the building’s new owner. He says they will have a fairly hands-off approach, relying on the current property management firm.
The building, a mix of residential and commercial tenants, stands out from any spot in town. Shlansky and his wife recently closed on the building. They own properties in Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Moving forward, Shlansky says getting the empty storefronts rented is a priority, including the corner restaurant space. But, other than that, he says not much will change. “The people who worked on this, they did such a great job, that really we just hope to be good enough to keep up to their standard,” Shlansky said.
The building was ravaged by fire in 2011. Back then, the future looked bleak until a group of local investors stepped up to raise the millions needed, which included state and federal grants, for a complete makeover.
“When we realized the cost to rebuild exceeded the value tremendously, there was a concern, given its size and scale, that it wasn’t going to make it, that it was a burnt-out hulk and it would be torn down,” said Bob Stevens of M&S Development.
The developers’ efforts to save the building, which was built in 1871, were done out of necessity. Not doing so would have forever changed the look and feel of Main Street.
“Really, the whole community came together and made this happen, and I am glad to be part of it,” Stevens said.
John Clements owns a design shop right across the street that is celebrating 50 years in town. He welcomes a new chapter in the Brooks House story. “I think it is great. It’s somebody new coming into town, supporting downtown, so that is wonderful,” Clements said. “The fire was very devastating for downtown. And what they’ve done to it is really spectacular.”
The investment has inspired other redevelopment projects in the state, including the Putnam Block in Bennington.
