Smoke billowed from the historic Bryn Mawr country house Friday morning, stirring into a chilly fog that hung low over the east end of St. John’s. Firefighters did their best, but the 115-year-old structure was not saved from its death. Years of public appeals, fervent appeals and legal battles to save the empty house from demolition fell by the wayside in an early morning fire. Michael Hall, a platoon leader with the St. Johns Regional Fire Department, said it was a sight none of his firefighters wanted to see. “It’s unfortunate because this structure here has certainly been the focus of controversy here for many, many years, and it’s unfortunate to see something that’s well over 100 years old be completely demolished.” Hall said a taxi driver spotted the fire shortly before 3 a.m. Friday. When Kent’s Pond Fire Service – located about 200 meters away – arrived at the property, it was fully engulfed.
The legal battle was dismissed last year
Bryn Mawr Cottage — also known as Baird Cottage — was built in 1905 by architect William F. Butler, one of the most influential builders in the province’s history. It was built for James C. Baird, a Scottish merchant who was looking for a country home on the outskirts of St. John’s. As the city spread outward, it developed around Byrn Mawr – Welsh for “great hill” – as it remained a sprawling estate amidst the bustle of a growing city. The house was purchased from the Baird family in 1970 by businessman Jim Steinhauer. The sprawling estate declined over time as apartment buildings and retirement homes were built around the cottage. Bryn Mawr, also known as Baird’s Cottage, was built in 1907 by the famous architect William F. Butler. Butler was responsible for many of the most important structures in Newfoundland from that time. (Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador) The Steinhauer family agreed in 2014 to sell the property to developer KMK Capital. In 2016, the city of St. John’s declared it a heritage site, eliminating any possibility of the new owner demolishing the house. KMK Capital and Mildred Steinhauer then sued the city in an attempt to overturn the decision. The legal battle lasted five years, with the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court dismissing the lawsuit in October 2021. Throughout the court proceedings, however, the building was empty and untouched. The windows were boarded up and the property was destroyed. “Another heritage site lost to careless demolition,” tweeted Tyler Stapleton, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Trust, on Friday morning. “I am not at all surprised to see the house on fire. Characterization is not enough. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time. The erosion of [built heritage] to be continued. Where will it end?’
Aggressive fire could have been much worse
Hall said an immediate decision was made to go on the defensive rather than attack the fire. It was clear that there would be no way to save the old cottage, but there was concern for the surrounding houses and buildings. There are many older homes nearby as well as apartment buildings and the Tiffany Village seniors complex. “The concern here tonight was the embers that ignited the housing developments here in the neighborhood,” he said. “It would have been much more serious. Fortunately for all involved, the conditions were good.” Not much remained of Bryn Mawr Cottage at 5:30 a.m., just a shell of the old Queen Anne style house. (Ryan Cooke/CBC) Within three hours, the flames died down and all that remained were a few flickers. A shell of the old Queen Anne structure still stood, gaping holes revealing the charred remains of its interior. “The structure is destroyed,” Hall said. “At this point we will let the investigators do their work.” The investigation will be handed over to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
