Rare Live-Work Property for Artists in Brighton

Brighton: 15047 County Road 2 $765K - 3 BR - 2 WR - 4.85 Acres

A rare and inspiring live-work opportunity on the outskirts of Brighton, steeped in history and creative energy. Originally built circa 1860 as a farmhouse, this just-under-5-acre property later served as the local dance hall and general store, and now offers exceptional potential for artists, makers, and visionaries seeking space to live, work, and create. The character-filled main floor features exposed beams, antique pine plank flooring, and terra cotta tile, providing a warm and inviting setting for cooking, gathering, and everyday living. A home office and laundry area conveniently located on the main level. Upstairs, three unique bedrooms and a full bath are complemented by a spacious studio- an ideal environment for any genre of creative production. Below the upper studio is a lower studio/workshop with 11' ceilings and double 8 foot doors. Outside, the picturesque grounds unfold with winding trails, mature trees, and established perennials, creating a peaceful, inspiring backdrop for both work and retreat. A short drive to town, Prince Edward County and just a little over an hour to the GTA; a great location to many amenities.

Nick's Notes:

Some of us hire an architect and/or designer to craft our home for us. Some of us want to be involved in the finer details and push back against what we don’t like. And some of us do it all ourselves. This is the home of an artist who has created a home that is uniquely their own and no one else’s. It’s the definition of unique, but it can also make it difficult to interpret. The vision and utility of the home are so specific that not everyone needs or understands the use case. Then there are people like you and me, who look at a home like this and think, “I love that this exists. How can I make it fit my lifestyle?”

Unsurprisingly, this home is owned by a prolific sculptor and painter who has participated in over 200 solo and group exhibitions throughout his career. The property is a home, studio, and sanctuary wrapped up in one. The old brick farmhouse, combined with a large addition, has been recreated into a Spanish-influenced abode with vaulted ceilings, exposed post-and-beam structure, and white plaster/stucco-like walls that complement the light coming from the skylights above. It doesn’t feel decorative, it feels intentional, like a craftsperson lives here. There is so much to take in while you are trying to visualize the space that it is easy to gloss over the cool custom elements like the built-in display cases and the built-in hutch in the hallway.

The almost five acres of land aren’t all that bad either. Although built next to busy Hwy 2, the house is obscured from the road and there is plenty of forested land beyond the house, along with distance from the neighbour next door. So although traffic noise is undoubtedly present, the house itself sits in a very private setting. Importantly, the location on Hwy 2 is reflected in the price. The highway provides easy year-round access if you are considering this as a second home. There is no need to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle in the winter to get down lesser-maintained “B” roads. Coming from Toronto, you may appreciate the practicality of Brighton. You are not adding the extra drive time that comes with pushing deeper into Prince Edward County, but you are still close enough to enjoy the wineries, restaurants, and beaches.

I suspect there will be some maintenance and updating with the home that will need to be addressed given the age and structure. There are parts that feel unfinished and the seller has been earnest in their representation by disclosing a broken window seal, a broken skylight seal, and a leak next to a skylight. Having said that, the heating system appears to be a modern wall-hung propane boiler system feeding baseboard radiators throughout the house, and there is also an upgraded electrical panel. No A/C at this time. I highly suggest viewing the 3D tour, where you will notice many idiosyncrasies that make this house one-of-a-kind. For more information and to set up a viewing, please reach out to me soon.

Listed by Kim Herrington, Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty