Architectural Salvage Warehouse does exactly what its name implies: it salvages architectural elements from homes and trucks them to its warehouse where do-it-yourselfers can buy them for use in their own homes. But it's not just elements like molding and cornices: doors, flooring, windows, ceiling fans, appliances and cabinetry can all be found.
Executive director Tom Friesen says that the concept of reuse is catching on. While most of the homes they currently dismantle are in the suburbs, Wayne County's land bank is planning to contract with the organization via its blight elimination program. "They've asked us to be the lead for a pilot project to [establish] a green way of demolishing these homes," he says.
Not only is architectural salvage environmentally sustainable, it is an economic force as well. The Architectural Salvage Warehouse estimates that for each job demolition creates, salvage creates two to five times more.
The warehouse recently expanded its hours to six days a week, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. "We wanted to be more accessible to the community," says Freisen.
The warehouse is at 4885 15th Street, just off Grand River. Call 313-896-8333.
Source: Tom Friesen, ASW
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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