The success of the concept was based entirely on the idea that "upscale" homebuyers would be attracted to the lots by aggressive marketing and the promise of future amenities such as a streetcar line. That was a tall order given the near isolation of Ottawa East at the time. While the swing bridge across the canal (just north of present-day Pretoria Bridge) did provide a connection to the city, it could not support the electric trolley from Elgin St. As well, questions about adequate water, sewer and electrical services had to be answered. One can only speculate how the problem of the annual spring flood was addressed.

To answer these questions and promote Brantwood Place Sibbitt produced the now-famous brochure (reproduced in part here). Approximately 10 by 7 inches with 4 colours, the elaborate document contained numerous graphics, photographs and marketing text that bordered on hyperbole. In it Sibbitt answered all of the questions with future promises and characterized the surroundings as being ideal for the discriminating purchaser. He described the brochure content as "being the story of an effort to please the fastidious".

The actual date of publication is not clear. The brochure has several references to 1911 as well as the proposed "high level" bridge over the canal at Bank St. There is also a mention of the proposed bridge from Mutchmor (Fifth Ave.) to Clegg St. - an active topic in 1912. There is no mention of Pretoria Bridge that was to be approved in 1914. So with a wee bit of inductive thinking, a good guess for the date of publication is circa 1912-13. The Plan of Subdivision was filed on December 6, 1913 (M45).

Sibbitt's main answer to the "heretofore impassible barrier of the canal" was the rebuilding of Bank St. Bridge that would extend the streetcar services up Riverdale and Main. Until that time, he indicated that "it is even now but a 12 minutes walk from the end of either Elgin Street or Bank Street car lines to the property - with granolithic (cement) walks all the way up Main St.". He neglected to mention that there was no snow removal for sidewalks, making it somewhat difficult to trudge up Main in subzero weather.

He went on to confirm that all necessary services (water, sewers, telephone and electricity) were "all available". But at what cost and when? Many of the lots needed to be sold to finance installation of the services. To further support his vision ten specific restrictions on sales were listed to ensure ""good neighbors - congenial surroundings - and permanent residential value". As examples of the "character and quality of the neighbourhood" he included pictures of the Brown and Slattery residences on Riverdale Ave. and the entrance to St. Joseph's Scholasticate.

To further buttress the idea of exclusivity Sibbitt built the landmark "Stone Gates". Now an Ottawa East icon, the four stone pillars constructed on Main at Beckwith were made of local field stone set in a concrete matrix, on top of concrete base, filled with rubble and capped by "stone balls". The brochure suggests that an ornamental arch of ironwork was installed connecting the inside pillars. Local legend has it that the arch was removed early on as it became a hazard. As time has shown, Sibbitt was not concerned with durability as the vagaries of weather and traffic have created problems for the structures. There is much more on this story here.

With all of his effort however, the anticipated interest in Brantwood Place did not materialize. Notwithstanding the building of Pretoria Bridge and the extension of public transport, sale of the lots was very slow. The 1922 oblique air photo of Brantwood Place shows the entrance gates at Beckwith with little else. Only a portion of Beckwith, Marlowe and Clegg were constructed with just a few houses built. As the sequence of air photos below demonstrates, Sibbitt's original vision was not realized for many years. In the end, one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the region did emerge. With a beautiful beach that attracted thousands on a hot summer's day, no commercial development and the later extension of the community south of Elliot St., the community grew rapidly after the Second World War. That story has been left to a future time.

1922

1928

1931

 

1938

1956

1960