Architectural Artifacts
Categories: Venues & Event Spaces, Antiques, Furniture Stores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: North Center, Lakeview4325 N Ravenswood Ave
(between Cullom Ave & Montrose Ave)
Chicago, IL 60613 (773) 348-0622
- Nearest Transit:
Montrose (Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
22 reviews
Neighborhood: Near North Side
"Given that I'm in the process of buying a couch from Room and Board, my yuppification is nearly complete. In all seriousness though, I…" read more »
21 Reviews for Architectural Artifacts
I have banned architectural artifacts from my life. After working several events there and ALWAYS having issues with the mostly rude staff and the obnoxious owner I was told one last horror story and decided it just had to go.
Long story short-- they accused guests of stealing the toilet paper holders from the bathroom. When my friends little demure mother was approached by the owner regarding this his immediate reaction was to call her a c**t several times-- follow up calls just got worse and worse..and he became more belligerent and rude (even with my prior bad experiences i was shocked).
I wrote them a note saying how disappointed i was in my friend's mother's treatment and got no response...even tho i said that if my complaint was not attended to I would send out a mass letter to every event planning organization i belong to explaining what happened (in much greater detail than i did here)....Unfortunately i ended up doing it since i received not one call or e-mail back (and i left several messages)...
disappointing disappointing disappointing--- nothing is as classless as deciding since you are a "unique" store you can indulge your jack ass tendencies.
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My wife and I were married here in the fall of '07 and it was wonderful. We wanted a big, lofty 'Chicago-y' space and this fit the bill. The decor was eclectic and fun, which was another huge reason why we chose AA. On top of that, the staff was amazing. We worked solely with Marie and the owner. In fact, what solidified us choosing AA as our venue was Marie recognizing us when we came back after another venue hadn't worked out. We hadn't expressed much interest yet but she remembered us and I think that's when we definitely knew. Our wedding photos looked amazing; we ran around the whole place taking a bunch of fun candids and poses. A few friends even gifted us with pieces they bought while pursuing during cocktails.
We also just love riding our bikes up to AA and poking around for a few hours. It's such a unique place.
Do you need 2-story tall roman columns, an antique post office box, an iron jail cell door from Scotland, or a working wine press? Who doesn't!?
Upon stumbling into this place all I could say was WOW. Can I live here please? This place is amazing. Every room is filled with awesome treasures from an old (non-working) ice box to vintage photographs, ceramic tile in every color and design, antique door knobs, stained glass panels, wooden doors of varying sizes, designs and finishes, wine jugs and old seltzer bottles, trunks, samari swords, a children's merry go round and so much more.
When we first walked in I thought that the staff would be cold and pretentious. But that was not the case at all! We chatted with (I think she was one of the owners) Iris for quite some time. . She told us the store has been there almost 20 years and that many of the items are brought back from Argentina. She could not have been more friendly or helpful.
Okay, yes some of it is quite expensive. The Argentinian stained glass doors in the main entryway clock in at over $32,000 and the insanely huge old libarary card catalogue is alomost $8k, but many more of the items are within reach. I would actually consider paying $3000 for a beaufitul antique wood cabinet from Argentina. Something one of a kind and quality like this would be worth saving up for and investing in. Any many of the smaller accents like vases, tiles, and photos are well under $100.
I'd love to have unlimited funds to spend here. I'd get a huge loft, a space big enough to accomodate many of the impressive larger pieces, and build my dream space. But until then, I'll come and get lost for a few hours, and content myself with some of the smaller decor items.
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I stopped by here with my friends Katie and Dan H. We had just gotten a sobering late breakfast, (i.e. middle of the afternoon lunch), and we were walking back to Irving Park, when I suggested we turn and walk down Ravenswood. Its one of my favorite streets, always interesting, connects the north side fairly well and almost always something to find.
We walked by a pair of glass doors and noticed some interesting art objects and decided to go in. What we were expecting was this small gallery, a few objects of art and uppity people. What we found was a ginormous 80,000 square foot building with large massive amounts of items and items that were large and massive. Iris said a friendly hello as we made a right turn asked us if we have any questions, Dan had some left over food from our meal and she offered to hold it up front if he wanted to keep his hands free, very nice. As we walked around we were amazed at what this place holds. Doors, lanterns, chandeliers, columns, massive pieces of architectural artifacts, tables, chairs, things from around the world and some things from here in Chicago. We each got giddy and our eyes got bigger turning around each corner, looking at a prisoner door from Scotland solid wood, iron, heavy, to crystal vases ornate, precious, beautifully decorated and made. Things from the 70's down to turn of century. Iris told us later on that some times people come in at 10am, get lunch later and then leave at 5pm, still not have covered everything. We glazed over everything in an hour and still probably couldn't find everything. Certainly a lot of this was out of our price range, but we found a lot of things for cheap, (a banker's chair for $10) and they do have sales too. Iris couldn't be nicer and was friendly to us each and every time we talked with her. I am definitely going to send clients and a couple of friends, if anything to look, but there are a few things I have my eye on, hopefully they will still be there when I get back!
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I agree with many of the other posters that the store is much like a wonderful museum, with many interesting things to see. However, much like a museum, 95% of the population can't afford a single thing, no matter how small or inconsequential-seeming. After a few minutes of browsing, my husband and I turned it into a game of sorts: "Guess how much this single cast-iron letter is?" "Fifty bucks?" "Two hundred!" "NO!"
And I also must agree with others that the people working there are rude. We were looking for some old glass cabinet doors for a DIY project, and when we inquired as to where we'd find something, he coldly informed us that what we were looking for didn't exist. WTF? Cast-off cabinet doors don't exist?!
So after that warm gesture we decided to make the trip to Salvage One on Hubbard instead, and found - you'll never guess! - old glass cabinet doors. And their prices are much more reasonable, the staff is friendly, and they will bargain. But that's for another review.
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I absolutely love Architectural Artifacts. The first time I came in was for a book signing a friend of mine was doing. I wandered around a bit and enjoyed looking at their very eclectic collection. Yes, it is expensive but that's the market - you can find things here and there that aren't insanely priced - I really like going throught the old pictures, they are fun to look at. The staff is nice - pretty laid back in my experience. They greet you and then leave you alone pretty much. I hate it when salespeople jump on you the moment you walk in and stare you down. There is nothing more irritating. I really appreciate how clean it is and well lit so you can see everything and move around without worrying you are going to get filthy or knock something over.
It's a terrific space for a party too. You don't have to decorate much as the surroundings set the mood for you. Guests really like it , they get to wander around and check things out and I hope they never sell the giant burger girl sign, that's a favorite. You don't have to worry about parking and they don't have a lot of irritating rules for party set up, etc. The only downside is that it is tough to get cabs up there after a party. But if you are looking for a unique event space, I strongly recommend it.
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I like how they've allowed this place to act as a museum as well as a store. Although I can't really afford most of the stuff here, this is a neat place to roam through and scour stained glass, fountains, furniture, busts of Buddha, glassware, intricate wooden sculptures, columns, etc. And it seems the great majority of all the stuff they got here was bought off some ex Argentine elites trying to ride out that country's various severe financial crises.
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I wish that there were two levels for rating when it comes to a business like this: One for service and one for product.
You see, the product is really spectacular. I would not hesitate to send someone here if they were restoring an antique home or looking to add some interesting touches to their condo.
The service, on the other hand, is horrendous. In May, I brought a client in with me to look around while I shopped for some particularly pedestrian light bases. She was shopping and I found what I wanted - a plain tin base for a hanging light. I was told, when I asked how much it was, that they did not carry anything like that. When I told them where I got it in the store, they actually took it from me and told me that they would not sell it to me because "We can take this, add a globe, and sell it for $300".
While this is certainly true, they had not done so, and I just wanted the base. The guy at the desk then became incredibly abrasive and asked me "what is it worth to you?" I said "I don't know - I was thinking 15 or 20 bucks" and he said "Forget about it!".
I am not going to go into the rest of it - my client was in shock - as was I. I had never been treated like that before. The entire exchange was so offensive that she left saying that she would never go back again.
I have to say I would have to have a really good reason to go back, but go back I would. The pieces are just too amazing to pass up.
But be prepared! Unless you are a designer outfitting an entire room or suite of rooms - or a set designer - you are going to be treated like rabble.
The guys there DO know what they are talking about, it is just sad that they do not know how to treat people. I would go back, but my client or anyone she talks to would never set foot in the store again.
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I attended an event here which was very nicely done. They closed off the actual artifacts earlier in the evening so no one could damage anything. The actual collection is very eclectic and interesting although certainly not something most people can afford but fun to look at.
Sorry, I just cant stand this joint. Its huge, obnoxious, and while the central atrium is certainly impressive, the 1980's day-glo colours everything is painted does not enhance the atmosphere. Its cool to browse around, but nothing is offered for the average person's budget. Sure, a mother-of-pearl inlaid Russian dining set from the 1930's that seats 12 is wild and crazy, but I dont have $30,000 for it or the room and I doubt most people would.
Also, once they get a whiff that you are not a designer or insanely wealthy, they could not be colder or more aloof towards you. This is not just me talking, I have had several friends tell me the same thing.
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This place is great, an awesome place to blow an hour or so on a lazy day. Kept clean and well organized, it doesn't have the dirty feeling many similar stores carry; at times, it feels like digging through Indian Jones' storage space. But as we all know Indy would want his belongings "in a museum" and that is about what this place is for the rest of us not making a fortune. Although some pieces are reasonably priced, many are re-donk-u-lous, great to look at, but be careful not to break, I doubt they'd let you off for an accident.
Despite earlier reviews, I never had bad service, the owner, in fact, was quite nice to us on our first trip; he noticed and complimented my boots and told us we could have 15% off whatever we buy. Although they're not walking around to help, and most folks won't go out of their way to say 'hi' or even smile, no one has ever been overtly rude to me here.
Check this place out, its a great way to spend some time and dream about those things you wish you could afford - well, maybe you can.
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I found this place by accident walking home from the Montrose brown line stop shortly after I moved to this neighborhood a few months ago. The warehouse is located on nondescript Ravenswood -- a street bound by the Metra and brown lines on one side, and industrial warehouses turned condos/offices/storage and niche manufacturing on the other. When I walked inside, my boyhood dream-house fantasies came alive. Would you like a turret on the roof of your home? They have one sitting on blocks outside. How about a 60 ft long ornately carved oak dais? It's in the basement. Apart from the massive architectural pieces, the shop has rooms devoted to tile, chairs, desks, mantels, sinks, and anything else you could think of. This place is great for an hour or two of browsing -- and is a real feast for the imagination.
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This place is worth a visit just to stare and gawk at the stuff these people managed to transport into their store.
I was at a wedding there last weekend and found myself staring at not one but two church steeples that had been carefully propped up on the outdoor patio. Looking for a lifesize stone bust of a lion ala the art institute? You have come to the right place!
Maybe someday when I have my Chateau imported brick by brick a from France and need something subtle in the driveway like a 30 foot
stone phallus, I will come back here and purchase something.
Until then, I think home depot is going to have what I need for remodelling.
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Oh man, I just don't love this place. Yes, when I'm finally in the market for a hand carved art nouveau French fireplace for my dream house- I'll start here. But for the average person who actually hopes to find a little treasure to take home on a whim, this place is very specialized- don't come here expecting to dig around a pile of stuff and find some "saved from the wrecking ball" bargain buried in the back. Expect your one-of-a-kind piece to be waiting for you and everyone else on display with a price tag hanging off of it. There are no secrets to be discovered here, they've discovered them for you.
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After having referred so many people here, I finally made it a point to go myself. And I am glad I did.
Here are some things about this place that you might not get off the website:
-it is MUCH larger than you'd expect
-it is much more expensive than you'd expect or want it to be
-it is the CLEANEST collection of antiques ever witnessed.
-it's not exactly a "museum" as they claim, because you won't exactly learn anything, but it is clean and quiet.
-if for nothing else, it is a good place to wander around and be inspired.
For me, the best part were the two antique Porsches on display and I am sad I went on a day when the "house dog" wasn't in.
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This place is a must. Stop in wonder around and your jaw will hit the floor. I swear if you look hard enough you Goonie you may just find One-Eyed Willies Treasure.
You can even have parties here!
This place is off the cool-O-meter Chart.
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This place is for the architecture buffs. It's like a musem where you can buy the exhibits and definitely worth a trip if you are looking for something to do.
Their prices are better than Salvage One. They also have sales periodically, so be on the lookout for those.
This is a great antique store/museum to go to if you have never been there before. They have such random things--everything from carousel horses to antique bra molds. It is fun to just see what unique things they have. They are also a new event venue. I went to a wedding there and it was really nice. They have an outdoor patio where they got married and the reception was in the big open space on the first floor.
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Many treasures can be found in this store. You never know what you will find here. They offer many items that could add a very nice touch to a home, such as moldings, stained glass and furniture.
I think the best word to describe this place is "eclectic". There is some really cool old stuff in this place - I saw old church pews, dentist's chairs, even what looked like an old operating table. Also, everything is set up inside a very nice space and is reasonably organized into items of similar materials and/or style.
The downside is that if you're looking for standard-type pieces to furnish your apartment/condo, it might be a little too eclectic. If you're looking for stained glass to hang in your windows, or fireplace mantles, they seemed to have tons. Lastly, I also found everything a bit overpriced for the condition and age of the items.
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This store is huge ... many unique items, but a little overpriced
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