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Nestled in the heart of Manastash Canyon, The Brickhouse Nursery is one of the oldest structures in Kittitas County– deeply intertwined with the region’s rich history. When the The Williams family set out to transform their property into a thriving garden and nursery, they turned to Troy Morris and his team at Mountain Construction to bring that vision to life. What began as a simple restoration quickly evolved into a full-scale, 13-month revitalization project that blended preservation with modern craftsmanship and has exceeded all expectations.
The land on which The Brickhouse Nursery stands has long been a place of gathering. Originally a site for Indigenous bands to trade and fish from the nearby creek, the property later came under the ownership of Frida Olds, a larger-than-life figure in Ellensburg’s past. Frida made her mark with informal rodeos and a series of structural additions. In his youth, Mitch Williams, had the pleasure of getting to know Frida and became a longtime admirer of the property. In the 1990s, he took ownership, maintaining its legacy while allowing it to evolve with the times. When his horticulturist daughter, Emma sought to transform the old home and property into a Nursery, the Williams needed a team capable of preserving its character while reinforcing its foundation for the future.
Initially hired to remove Mitch William's 1980's addition and revitalize the original Brickhouse, Mountain Construction’s role soon expanded– as more and more construction possibilities revealed themselves throughout the property. The team repaired the fragile Ellensburg soft brick, reinforced the foundation, and seamlessly integrated a new addition, on the right side of the building, to complement the historic structure.
Summary
Mountain Construction transformed The Brickhouse Nursery as a site project, one of Kittitas County’s oldest structures, into a thriving garden and community space while preserving its historic integrity. The project included restoring the fragile Ellensburg soft brick, integrating a seamless new addition, and engineering Washington’s largest Trex deck. With expert craftsmanship, the team revitalized historic windows, remodeled cabins, and built intricate architectural features, making The Brickhouse Nursery a celebrated local destination.
Location
Ellensburg, WA
Completion Year
2022
Client
The Williams Family
size
15 acre property
THE BRICKHOUSE NURSERY:
A Place of Gathering and Gardening
The addition includes a sprawling 5,200-square-foot Trex deck—the largest of its kind in Washington at the time. Engineering this deck required expert structural planning, with a structural engineer ensuring its integrity.
One of the most intricate elements of the addition portion was replicating the original exposed rafter designs. Over the course of five days, Morris and his team custom-cut each rafter tail to match the historical craftsmanship. They also installed Washington’s only live eyebrow dormer—an architectural feature that was once common in the 1960s but is now a rarity, requiring specialized problem-solving and technique on Morris’ part.
Beyond the main structure, Mountain Construction’s efforts extended across the property. They restored historic windows in the outside sheds—the original windows dating back to the 1850s—pre-dating Ellensburg itself. The on-site cabins were remodeled to provide sufficient lodging for guests, and the team built elegant pergolas for perennials to climb over time, installed a reflection pool, and built 8-foot-radius cantilever circular deck for one of the property’s serene ponds—a structural feat that pushed the limits of engineering precision.
The Brickhouse Nursery has become more than just a garden, nursery, and shop—it has become a County destination and received high accolades. Because of Morris’ dedicated craftsmanship and surrounding pastures and wildlife, The Brickhouse Nursery now draws visitors eager to experience its reimagined beauty and history firsthand.
The addition includes a sprawling 5,200-square-foot Trex deck—the largest of its kind in Washington at the time. Engineering this deck required expert structural planning, with a structural engineer ensuring its integrity.
One of the most intricate elements of the addition portion was replicating the original exposed rafter designs. Over the course of five days, Morris and his team custom-cut each rafter tail to match the historical craftsmanship. They also installed Washington’s only live eyebrow dormer—an architectural feature that was once common in the 1960s but is now a rarity, requiring specialized problem-solving and technique on Morris’ part.
Beyond the main structure, Mountain Construction’s efforts extended across the property. They restored historic windows in the outside sheds—the original windows dating back to the 1850s—pre-dating Ellensburg itself. The on-site cabins were remodeled to provide sufficient lodging for guests, and the team built elegant pergolas for perennials to climb over time, installed a reflection pool, and built 8-foot-radius cantilever circular deck for one of the property’s serene ponds—a structural feat that pushed the limits of engineering precision.
The Brickhouse Nursery has become more than just a garden, nursery, and shop—it has become a County destination and received high accolades. Because of Morris’ dedicated craftsmanship and surrounding pastures and wildlife, The Brickhouse Nursery now draws visitors eager to experience its reimagined beauty and history firsthand.
