Cottage #11 – Gabriel Cottage
Cottage #11 is one of a handful of oceanfront cottages resting along the north side of the Historic District. Commonly known as the Gabriel Cottage, it was constructed in the late 1920s by Cecil Payne for his wife, Biddy. Cecil, a structural engineer by trade, built the cottage with exceptional attention to detail such as a round brick fireplace and tongue-and-grove knotty pine walls, both of which were unusual characteristics for the early cottages.
In 1969, Biddy Payne left the Cove and passed the cottage over to her neighbors, Laurie and Ken Gabriel. The Gabriels continued Cecil Payne’s design philosophy by adding detailed and unique features to the cottage, such as a spiral staircase and a recycled redwood hot tub, transforming the cottage into an amalgam of creativity.
Today, Crystal Cove Alliance is working on the restoration plans and permitting for the final 17 cottages along the north beach. The projected 5-year, $26 million dollar project will mark the culminating achievement that CCA has been striving towards for the past 16 years. Of course, as with all major undertakings at Crystal Cove, the timing of the project will be driven by the success of CCA’s fundraising initiatives.
If you’re interested in becoming a part of special community devoted to preserving the historical and cultural assets of Crystal Cove, make a donation today or sign up to become a CCA member. Donations can be made in any amount and are completely tax-deductible.
Then: Biddy Payne in front of Cottage #11 and surrounded by the Coveite community, 1934
Now: Rendering of fully restored north beach cottages by artist Richard Kent