The Conant Block, built by the Conant family, has been a commercial building since its construction in 1820. It is the oldest structure in the downtown and once housed a harness shop and the post office. The building was once lower and in 1840 it was raised and extended to the west. The Conant Block is situated in the heart of downtown Brandon on Center Street which is also known as Route 7, the primary north/south state highway stretching from Bennington to the Canadian border. It is a high-visibility location with thousands of vehicles passing by daily.
With ten commercial rental units ranging from 175 sq. ft. to more than 1,500 sq. ft., the Conant Block has a strong rental history and is currently fully occupied. The current owners have made the following renovations during their tenure:
2002
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Full renovation/restoration of 1st & 2nd floors
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New boilers
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New electrical wiring
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New doors and windows
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Basement and attic insulation
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Roof slate repair
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Exterior painting
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Structural beam replacement over the Neshobe River
2021-2022
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New energy-efficient Marvin windows on 2nd floor
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Attic and carrying beam engineered structural renovation
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Extensive brick pointing & repair
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Roof slate repair
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New window awnings
Located between the beautiful Neshobe Falls and Brandon Town Offices, these three units have long-time tenants and are accessible from Center Street. There are 10 public parking spaces in front of the building or across the street, including two handicapped spaces.
Second Floor
There are seven professional spaces on the second floor ranging from 175 sq. ft. to 510 sq. ft. In addition to a common area at the top of the stairs, there's a full basement (largely spray foam insulated) under the entire building--partial concrete/partial dirt. The attic is unfinished and not temperature-controlled.
About Brandon
Over the last decade, Brandon has experienced a dramatic renewal. Between planned upgrades to Route 7 and repair work due to 2011's Tropical Storm Irene, the downtown is the envy of Vermont and has become a tourism destination. There's a dramatic waterfall, plenty of parking, new sidewalks and lighting, pocket gardens, and a healthy mix of retail, restaurants, and professional offices. Brandon is steeped in history with 243 buildings in the core village listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is proud to be one of Vermont's Designated Downtowns, and is home to the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce.
