Tag Archives: architectural salvage

Reuse Centers

US church faces neglect allegations after Haiti child deaths 

For a limestone mantel from the Waldorf Astoria, the church that owns the Olde Good Things antique stores asks for $8,500. But for the death of each child in a fire at a home it ran in Haiti, parents said the same church offered to pay just $50 to $100 in family compensation — along with $150 for funeral-related costs such as new clothes and transportation. The wealth of the Church of Bible Understanding in the United States has long stood in contrast with the shoddiness of its two children’s homes in Hai

Source: US church faces neglect allegations after Haiti child deaths

Reuse Centers

Haiti faults orphanage run by well-off US church – Story from 2013

At the Olde Good Things antique store on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a French crystal chandelier can go for tens of thousands of dollars. A marble mantel sells for more than $20,000 and hand-carved dinner tables are priced even higher. The store’s Christian missionary owners offer their well-heeled customers a heart-warming story: Part of the proceeds pay for the group’s orphanage in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. What they don’t say is that even though they claim in IRS filings to be spending around $2.5 million annually, the home for boys and girls was so dirty and overcrowded during recent inspections that the government said it shouldn’t remain open.

Source: Haiti faults orphanage run by well-off US church

Markets

Heritage crime: Thieves target historic church slabs for patios | News | The Times

Parishioners at Christ Church in Eccleston, Lancashire, were left “horrified and grieving” after 40 pieces of stone were taken, said the vicar, the Rev Sonya Doragh

Parishioners at Christ Church in Eccleston, Lancashire, were left “horrified and grieving” after 40 pieces of stone were taken, said the vicar, the Rev Sonya Doragh

More than £400,000 worth of paving slabs has been stolen from historic churchyards and buildings over the past five years, causing “grief and horror” among parishioners.

Source: Heritage crime: Thieves target historic church slabs for patios | News | The Times

Markets, Portland Area, Reuse Design

Aurora Mills Expanding Retail Footprint, with Place for Large Things and Airplane Wings

“Yeah, we have one of those,” Byrnes said with a laugh. “It was for a giant. And it will be for other large items: back bars, theater lighting, airplane wings, floor boards, things like that. I like to joke that we could fit a double-decker English bus in there.”

Source: Aurora Mills Expanding Retail Footprint, with Place for Large Things and Airplane Wings

Women in Deconstruction

Notable Women in Construction and Design: Vaishali Wagh

Wagh has expertise in historic renovation and adaptive reuse. For those projects she researches the building’s past uses and historical significance, prepares nominations for the National Registry of Historic Places, and helps clients navigate historic tax credits.

Source: Notable Women in Construction and Design: Vaishali Wagh

Markets, Reuse Design

Architectural Salvage: Hot Real Estate Trend

New York's historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel English Regency marble fireplace mantel

“Salvaged from old buildings or junkyards, these items ensure a home’s uniqueness,” says George DeMarco, real estate agent with Halstead Manhattan, “and can boost resale value if done well. Walking into new construction and seeing a blast from the architectural past often can make just enough difference in the buyer’s mind to help make the sale.”

Source: Architectural Salvage: Hot Real Estate Trend

Reuse Centers, Reuse Design

Salvaged goods can bring distinctive touch to modern homes –  The Columbus Dispatch – Columbus, OH

“I’m first and foremost a preservationist,” Sauer said. “I don’t like to see historic buildings come down.” But, when buildings are demolished or remodeled, saving as much as possible is important, Sauer said, noting, “I don’t like seeing this stuff end up in a landfill.”

Source: Salvaged goods can bring distinctive touch to modern homes – Real Estate – The Columbus Dispatch – Columbus, OH

Reuse Design, Structure Reuse

A South Philly rowhouse reborn through Craigslist, flea markets, estate sales, salvage yards

A South Philly rowhouse reborn through Craigslist, flea markets, estate sales, salvage yards

MONICA HERNDON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

For example, the staircase combines six different woods from 10 different buildings in what Clark calls “an ode to Frank Furness,” the legendary architect who designed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. “I kind of puzzled it together,” he says.

Source: A South Philly rowhouse reborn through Craigslist, flea markets, estate sales, salvage yards

Deconstruction, Markets

Deconstructing the Legendary New York Waldorf Astoria Hotel

“We are already selling pieces from the hotel’s interior on our website. Items for sale include light fixtures fashioned from Venetian glass and French crystal, along with more than 40 marble mantels carved in a variety of styles, including a $40,000 inlaid marble mantel from the US Ambassadors Suite. More affordable items include steak knives ($25), polished bronze swan hook ($45), stainless steel slotted egg spoon ($20), and a steel ice scoop ($10),” added Browne.

Source: Deconstructing the Legendary New York Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Markets, Reuse Centers

Salvage shops offer decor with a story | The Sumter Item

PHOTOS BY KATHERINE ROTH VIA AP Seen is a selection of vintage doorknobs and other items available for sale at Olde Good Things salvage store in New York.

Homeowners love features that come with a story, says Rich Ellis, publisher of Architectural Salvage and Antique Lumber News. “When you can point to your floor and say it came from an old shoe factory in Connecticut, for example, that’s a big attraction,” he says. There are between 500 and 700 architectural salvage businesses across the country, and business has been good, he says.

Source: Salvage shops offer decor with a story | The Sumter Item

Women in Deconstruction

Shop Talk: Ohmega Salvage; Totally Rad Gallery; Women Made — Berkeleyside

Ohmega Salvage

“I am sad about the lack of recycling of building materials of our classic homes here in the Bay area. Recycling was once the pride of our city,” Davis told Berkeleyside. As interest in the re-use of original architectural pieces declined, she said, overhead expenses — garbage collection, PG&E, EBMUD, alarm systems, worker’s compensation and higher wages — have continued to grow, which has made it hard to keep the business running smoothly.

Source: Shop Talk: Ohmega Salvage; Totally Rad Gallery; Women Made — Berkeleyside

Reuse Design

A Vintage-Style Kitchen Remodel by Peg and Awl Marries Old and New

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The house was their living quarters, initial work space, and ongoing project—it had been added onto over the years, and the previous owner, a high school shop teacher, “trash picked historic doors and windows considered garbage,” says Margaux. “He used his finds to restore the rooms closer to their former, albeit frankensteined, self.”

Source: A Vintage-Style Kitchen Remodel by Peg and Awl Marries Old and New

Reuse Design

Eccentric Inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. Built A Castle in Gloucester

The castle’s exterior mixes architectural styles, including 13th-century French Gothic. / Photo by Michele Snow

He scoured Europe for architectural salvage, buying up archways, façades, windows, and wall panels from the rubble of World War I. These centuries-old artifacts were incorporated alongside new construction materials (including wood intentionally weathered with seawater for an old-timey look). The result so impressed John D. Rockefeller, an avid art collector, that the tycoon used it as a model for the Cloisters in New York—the only museum in the United States to exclusively showcase art from the Middle Ages

Source: Eccentric Inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. Built A Castle in Gloucester

Reuse Design

An Uncanny Mountain Monument Is the Focus of an Outsider Artist for Half a Century

The main building on the Mountain Thunder Monument site

Like everything in the complex, the main building — whose lofted archway is the most visible feature from the adjacent highway — is adorned with fragments of architectural salvage and repurposed refuse, and guarded by several statuary works. Some of these are modeled entirely from scratch, while others incorporate found materials that create a commentary on the ways in which American Indians have been displaced within colonial culture.

Source: An Uncanny Mountain Monument Is the Focus of an Outsider Artist for Half a Century

Reuse Centers

Architectural artifacts from two demolished 1909 Upper East Side mansions will be for sale | 6sqft

A trove of original architectural ornaments is being offered by the dealer, including “magnificent complete paneled rooms, finely carved marble mantels, elegant stair railings in iron or carved wood, leaded glass windows, parquet flooring, and so on.”

Source: Architectural artifacts from two demolished 1909 Upper East Side mansions will be for sale | 6sqft

Deconstruction, Markets

Deconstructing history: Alaska Picker salvages, upcycles WWII-er – KTVA 11 – The Voice of Alaska

Image

Deconstructing history isn’t easy. Turney puts hours of sweat into the process, prying out rusty nails that haven’t budged in more than 50 years.This is the second Quonset hut he’s helped reclaim in the past couple years. The patinaed metal will be a huge hit in his Palmer store.“Some people use it as wainscoting or on the trim of a bar,” he said.

Source: Deconstructing history: Alaska Picker salvages, upcycles WWII-er – KTVA 11 – The Voice of Alaska

Markets

Company to salvage parts of historic home | Citizen’s News

The Board of Selectmen approved an agreement with a salvage company to take items, including the front door and door knocker, from the house at 35 Wolfe Ave. in Beacon Falls, known locally as the Tracy Lewis House, for $3,000. –LUKE MARSHALL

 

While the items may fetch more money than the company is paying the town, officials said there’s no other proposals on the table. “We have nobody knocking on the door to go in and do anything,” said Selectman Michael Krenesky, who was named custodian of the house in 2014.

Source: Company to salvage parts of historic home | Citizen’s News

Deconstruction, Reuse Design

New medical school cafe to honor Factory St. building | Campus News | athensnews.com

9 factory street

9 Factory St. is due for demolition in mid-June. Photo by Terry Smith.

“We’re focusing on iconic aspects of the Factory Street building, and repurposing materials where it makes sense to capture that building’s character as part of the new construction,” Ken Johnson, D.O., executive dean of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, said in the release. “We have found some beautiful and creative ways to honor 9 Factory St. in the new facility’s café,” added Johnson, who also serves as OU’s chief medical affairs officer.

Source: New medical school cafe to honor Factory St. building | Campus News | athensnews.com

Reuse Design

we talk salvage style with retrouvius | Livingetc

A family home was remodelled by the team at Retrouvius – the reclaimed flooring was specifically designed for hosting cocktail parties.

Some 26 years later, they now rule the roost of the London salvage scene, with both a warehouse trove of reclaimed products and a design studio that specialises in refurbishing top-end properties using rescued materials in a modern context.

Source: we talk salvage style with retrouvius | Livingetc

Markets

Man pleads guilty to stealing antique fixtures at Capitol II Theatre | Newton Daily News

The theft was spread on social media, and officers started investigating possible locations of the items. The fixtures were eventually located at West End Architectural Salvage in Des Moines. The light fixtures were retrieved, and the owner of the store identified the seller as McGinn. He was paid $350 for each item. “The owner of the store appraised the light fixtures at $2,000,” the police report said.

Source: Man pleads guilty to stealing antique fixtures at Capitol II Theatre | Newton Daily News

Markets

Stained Glass Windows Stolen From Historic Pittsburgh-Area Church | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

Stained Glass Windows Stolen From Historic Pittsburgh-Area Church

Photo via Mon Valley Initiative. If Seen call Braddock police at 412-351-5400, or Mon Valley Initiative at 412-464-4000.

Zinski said her organization is concerned that the windows may be sold to an antique dealer or architectural salvage dealer for re-use in a house or business. The purchasers may not realize they are in possession of stolen property.

Source: Stained Glass Windows Stolen From Historic Pittsburgh-Area Church | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

Reuse Centers

Everything and the Kitchen Sink | Elf | sentinelsource.com

 

Antique sink

“You never know when you might see something,” said Paula Bishop, owner of City Girl in the Country, an architectural salvage company in Antrim that specializes in sinks. “I am not afraid to knock on people’s doors if I see something in their yard. And I didn’t realize at first that so many New England homes have their own junkyard in the backyard.”

Source: Everything and the Kitchen Sink | Elf | sentinelsource.com

Reuse Design

How a Couple Saved This Curtis Park Gem | 5280

Ryan Cox used a stencil (from Royal Design Studios) to create the living room’s ornately patterned walls. Photo by Emily Minton Redfield.

“Historically designated neighborhoods do a great job protecting the exteriors of historical homes, but we’re losing our historical interiors,” Ryan says. “Every renovation strips away more and more of the original character, and we lose a lot of the workmanship that went into the build.”

Source: How a Couple Saved This Curtis Park Gem | 5280

Markets, Reuse Centers

Antique Hardware Finding New Life as Interior Fixtures

Owner Liz Gordon organizes thousands of pieces of door hardware.

Liz Gordon

“Environmental aspects are so important that we save as much as we can. You wouldn’t be able to find any of it because it would all be in the landfills,” says Gordon.Good to know your Spanish Revival restoration pieces not only look good, but aren’t bad for the planet.

Source: Antique Hardware Finding New Life as Interior Fixtures

Deconstruction, Markets

Residents see value in salvage materials at old Ashaway school | Richmond & Hopkinton | thewesterlysun.com

Old Hopkinton School Building from 1904

The former Ashaway School building, built in 1904, is set to be demolished, but a committee is working to see that valuable materials are salvaged first. Harold Hanka, The Westerly Sun

Swain said some of the potentially valuable components would be difficult to show in photographs. “Ornate cast iron radiators, slate chalkboards, I can look and find out the species of wood, but it should be hardwood trim,” he said.

Source: Residents see value in salvage materials at old Ashaway school | Richmond & Hopkinton | thewesterlysun.com

Deconstruction

Owner of Homestead Princeton Saves Pieces of Hodge Road Home | Town Topics

DOWN TO THE FRONT DOOR: The stately, nine-bedroom home that stood for 96 years on Hodge Road was torn down recently due to damage from a fire, still under investigation, that broke out last July. A local shop was able to salvage some of the interior features. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

“I salvaged some mantels, a couple of doors, and some smaller items throughout the place,” Menapace said last week. “Unfortunately, the demolition happened faster than I would have liked, and there wasn’t a lot that I could have grabbed.”

Source: Owner of Homestead Princeton Saves Pieces of Hodge Road Home | Town Topics

Deconstruction, Reuse Centers

The salvage man – Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin

Emphasis-Deconstruction-Inc-MarkRaszewski-crEricaKrug-09272018.jpg

Mark Raszewski rescues unclaimed materials from businesses when they close or renovate. Nearly all of the items he sells are from Dane County. PHOTO ERICA KRUG

When local businesses or facilities close or get renovated, Raszewski helps to take places apart (recently Mautz Paint, Marling Lumber, UW-Madison’s Agronomy research lab, and Oscar Mayer), salvaging many unclaimed materials.

Source: The salvage man – Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin

Reuse Design

Headboards made of salvage the stuff of sweet dreams | The London Free Press

Donna Aspden and her husband Kevin are the original recyclers, having built and created more than 500 stunning headboards during the last 30 years, transforming discarded materials into pieces of art for clients to use in their most personal of personal space, their bedrooms.

Source: Headboards made of salvage the stuff of sweet dreams | The London Free Press

Reuse Centers

These 5 Philly Architectural Salvage Stores Are Worth the Visit

architectural-salvage-provenance

Find the King of Jeans sign among other local treasures at Provenance. | Photos: Khanya Brann unless otherwise noted

These companies all offer design and construction services (and impeccable craftsmanship) and dig into their inventories of endangered treasures to create the furniture pieces of your dreams.

Source: These 5 Philly Architectural Salvage Stores Are Worth the Visit

Reuse Design

Niek Wagemans Alabama Bath featuring singer/songwriter Emily Stilwell

Dutch builder/artist and friend Niek Wagemans went to his American artist friend Butch Anthony to build a greenhouse from scratch. Using only salvaged and found materials on and around Butch’s massive estate, deep down Alabama, Niek built his slice of paradise…. Where one can grow plants, enjoy the view while having a hot bath and….listen to amazing music. Niek tried it all out himself, with the lovely appearance of singer/songwriter Emily Stilwell…..

Deconstruction

Crews stripping Burnham Mansion ahead of demolition – Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) – Burnham Mansion will be demolished soon, but crews are currently stripping the interior detailing from the historic home.

The demolition is being done to make room for the $87.1 million Central High School expansion.

Source: Crews stripping Burnham Mansion ahead of demolition – Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-

Deconstruction

Environmental coalition plans to salvage materials from vacant north St. Louis buildings | KBIA

An environmental collaborative aims to remove vacant properties, plans to salvage materials from 30 buildings in north St. Louis in 2019. Refab, a salvage yard in south St. Louis, is identifying buildings that qualify for deconstruction.
ELI CHEN | ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO

“When you strategically disassemble a structure, there’s more opportunities to find and remediate environmental hazards,” Ginn said. “It would allow us to reduce the amount of waste we’re sending to landfills and you don’t have as much dust spreading through neighborhoods.”

Source: Environmental coalition plans to salvage materials from vacant north St. Louis buildings | KBIA

Waste News

Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, but you can still salvage the antebellum brick

Demolition contractor Brant Grimm told the Times-News Friday he expects to begin razing Rogersville’s historic Blue Spring House in three to four weeks. He said he said he’s willing to salvage the brick and some large timbers from the 175-year old structure, but that wasn’t part of his original plan.

On Tuesday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed to award the bid to demolish the Blue Spring House, which dates back almost 200 years, on East Main Street to Kingsport-based Grimm Construction for $23,900.

Source: Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, but you can still salvage the antebellum brick

Markets, Waste News

Peoria firm bid $7,586 to win salvage rights to Burnham Mansion, other buildings | News-Gazette.com

Photo by: Rick Danzl/The News-Gazette
The Burnham mansion at 603 W. Church St., Champaign.

“The properties were originally constructed in the late 1800s for use as private residences, but in recent years they have been subdivided into multiple apartment units. The properties are wood-frame construction. Many of the original architectural elements remain in the properties,” the notice said.

Source: Peoria firm bid $7,586 to win salvage rights to Burnham Mansion, other buildings | News-Gazette.com

Reuse Centers

Business Spotlight: Old Lumberyard boasts treasures of yesteryear | News | corsicanadailysun.com

“We have lots of architectural items,” Plyer said. “In the form of doors, windows, newel posts, stained glass.”“We have a wedding registry as well,” said Carmichael. “If you’re a vintage lover, come pick what you want and we set it up in a display. We will make a tea towel with the couple’s names on it. All our tea towels sold right now benefit Relay for Life with their proceeds.”

Source: Business Spotlight: Old Lumberyard boasts treasures of yesteryear | News | corsicanadailysun.com

Markets

Vintage university building materials being auctioned off | CTV Regina News

Items from the U of R’s College Avenue campus are available through an online auction

“Much of this stuff dates back to the original building,” explained Carol Reyda, Project Manager for the University of Regina. “This is stuff that was used back in the early 1900’s.”

Source: Vintage university building materials being auctioned off | CTV Regina News

Reclamation Administration

Seeking Your Story with the Reclamation Administration!

We are collecting information and would like to hear from you!

I just wanted to thank you, because since I get all the updates through Reclamation Administration I found today out pieces from the old Waldorf Astoria in NYC are for sale – so I bought an old Waldorf Astoria door bell!!!! Yihaaa! – Diederick Kraaijeveld, Oudhout.com.

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Old Globe Grain Elevator in Superior, Wisconsin – was salvaged by the ReBuilding Exchange after Meegan Czop read about it on the Reclamation Administration.

If you have a story of how the Reclamation Administration connected you with a resource or inspiration – please let us know!

Email: ReclamationNews@gmail.com

In exchange, we are happy to print a quote with a link back to a site of your choice.

Markets

Old building materials from College Avenue Campus being auctioned off | Regina Leader-Post

Jackie Schmidt, president of Heritage Regina, stands among some of the materials which will be included in an online auction being put on by Heritage Regina. Many of the items are building materials removed from the College Avenue Campus of the University of Regina. BRANDON HARDER / REGINA LEADER-POST

Schmidt noted that much of the wood is old-growth wood from trees that were more than 100 years old.“Every lot has a historical story behind it,” said Schmidt. “These are architecturally significant. They belonged to the (College Avenue Campus) and we want to make sure that they are not put into the landfill.”

Source: Old building materials from College Avenue Campus being auctioned off | Regina Leader-Post

Structure Reuse

Here are N.J.’s 10 most endangered historic sites for 2018 | NJ.com

The Captain William Tyson House is owned by the Township of Rochelle Park which wants to either sell or raze the structure, officials say.

Photo Provided | Preservation New Jersey

“Several challenges face properties on this year’s endangered sites list, including neglect and deferred maintenance, threats incurred by redevelopment and new construction, difficulties raising adequate historic preservation funding, the need for creative adaptive reuse proposals, inadequate recognition and protection by government agencies, and political influences,” said Courtenay D. Mercer, president of PNJ.

Source: Here are N.J.’s 10 most endangered historic sites for 2018 | NJ.com

Reuse Design

Artist creates ‘Visions of Pittsburgh’ with material connection to its past | TribLIVE

Above, ‘The Igloo,’ by Cory Bonnett, whose exhibit, ‘Visions of Pittsburgh,’ will be on display this month at Shehady Gallery in the Strip District.

Working exclusively with reclaimed and salvaged raw materials, he transforms hardwood doors, stainless steel panels and fallen trees into works of art, bringing creative reuse and sustainability to his projects. One example in the show is a piece he created on a steel panel salvaged from the demolished Civic Arena.

Source: Artist creates ‘Visions of Pittsburgh’ with material connection to its past | TribLIVE

Reuse Centers

Earthwise Architectural Salvage: Bringing Tacoma’s History to Your Home Projects – SouthSoundTalk

Earthwise Salvage TacomaEarthwise Architectural Salvage was founded in Seattle in 1991 by Kurt Petrauskas. He was working as a demolition contractor and was struck by the unique and beautiful items that were being sent to landfills. Kurt started saving the items and holding yard sales, and soon the Seattle store was born. The Tacoma store opened in 2012 as their second location. Each store sources locally from the city around it.

Source: Earthwise Architectural Salvage: Bringing Tacoma’s History to Your Home Projects – SouthSoundTalk

Reuse Design

Masterpiece-by-piece | Real Estate | americanpress.com

Kathy Jackson Bosley found inspiration for the arched entrance in a fine home magazine. The reclaimed pilasters between the doors are cast iron and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Note the detail in the ceiling. Travertine is used on the floor. The fountain was created from three separate pieces, all reclaimed. Rita LeBleu

The American Press has never visited a house that demonstrates so much attention to detail and creative use of reclaimed or salvaged building materials, including old world European architectural elements.

Source: Masterpiece-by-piece | Real Estate | americanpress.com