Salvage One

Wow. While this «store» may have some cool old items for sale this is NOT an antique store it is a banquet facility. What a disappointment!
I think it is likely a lovely place to have your wedding but do not waste your time looking for antique or architectural items here.
If you are really interested in buying architectural things then I suggest Architectural Artifacts on Ravenswood and Montrose. There also do weddings but it is set up primarily as a store.

It took me far too long to write this review. My husband and I had our wedding at Salvage One this past September. We knew from the moment we saw the place online that this is where we wanted to have our wedding. When we saw it in person, we were taken around and given a tour. They describe it exactly how it will work for your wedding day and you are able to visualize it.
The staff at Salvage One always answered my many emails within 24 hours. They allowed me to borrow items (globe, glass box for cards, paper tags) for our wedding day and the place has a lot to offer in terms of décor in general. They performed a final walk-​through with us a few weeks before the wedding and really helped me design our reception set-​up. They were super fun to be with at all times.
We had many compliments from our guests and for those driving in from the suburbs, they were happy to have parking on the street. The venue has large rooms for getting ready with the bridal party and even to allow the bride and groom to take a moment aside.
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful venue, it was exactly as I dreamed it would be. Kudos to the staff for being as attentive as I needed them to be that day.

Great place to source one of a kind pieces & vintage furniture, lighting, Etc! They also host events! My fiancée and I will be married here in October! Super excited! Great staff, absolutely recommend

Like a million other people, I came here for a wedding. My wedding planning days are long past, but if I had the inclination, this would be a most excellent place for a shindig.
We came in from the burbs so I appreciated that there is easy street parking as well as a lot that was designated for us (note that the lot may not always be available, if the sign on the door is any indication).
I’d been to a wedding a couple years ago at Architectural Artifacts, so, kind of the same idea? But Salvage One seems to be more curated, and is definitely better laid out — doesn’t feel as cramped, the second floor was largely clear for dinner/​dancing, and they had proper bars on the first and second floor.
The ceremony area had a number of pews as well as some chairs for overflow. I loved all the random chandeliers that served as lighting, and beyond the seating for the ceremony there were tons of couch-​and-​coffee-​table set ups for easy lounging while we enjoyed cocktails.
Minor quibble, the first floor only seemed to have one (unisex) restroom. With around 200 people there, you might think that would be a problem. The good news is there were much larger restrooms on the second floor, which is where we had dinner etc.
I don’t know if they have designated vendors or if the bride and groom picked them out, but there were some small pacing issues, and some of us didn’t get appetizers during the cocktail hour. Nature of large weddings, though, I guess. I can’t really fault anyone for it.
Overall, Salvage One is a beautiful space and I’d happily attend another event here.

Best Venue I’ve ever worked. 30 years in the events business. Truly a diamond in the rough.

I attended a wedding at Salvage One and was very impressed. As many reviewers have discussed, the venue is incredibly unique. Funky salvaged furniture in a warehouse can really make for a fun experience. You really don’t need to spend much on décor.
The food was good and I loved how there were plenty of little couch areas where people could hang out. Also loved that the reception seating was made of all different sized tables– what a nice way to group up guests and avoid people getting stuck with strangers or the weird family member. One of my favorite wedding venues, and I’ve seen a lot!

I’ll never go to a wedding in a cooler venue than Salvage One. This truly is as good as it gets!
The downstairs space was perfect. One one side of the building, a chapel has been created out of mismatched sets of old pews, and overhead are dozens of varingly ornate chandeliers. On the other side, a bartender served cocktails from behind a vintage bar while guests chatted while sitting in furniture displays.
The courtyard was perfect for congregating with family and friends before the wedding and during cocktail hour. There are several great places to pose for photos or just to sit and chat.
The second floor featured an exquisite dressing room and a large, open floor plan with a host of mismatched tables. Stained glass windows lined the walls, illuminated from behind by the building’s actual windows. The best place for a reception that I’ve ever seen.
Everything here is for sale, and during the day Salvage One is a regular antique store. Don’t miss an opportunity to go to an event here! It is seriously the best!

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This review is for the wedding rent out only. Salvage One is located in the industrial area. If you take a taxi here, you got to wait a long time for another one to come by, if not you might have to Über it. There was no big sign in front, just a small door on this industrial cement building, I couldn’t see no name until I opened that front door. It reminds me of a swap-​meet warehouse.
1 of my best friends got married here. Salvage One arranged a beautiful ceremony for them with crystal chandelier, antique furniture and pieces through out their store, it was such a romantic setting.
Plenty of 1 of a kind pieces of furniture, house decorative pieces like lamps, chandeliers, glass windows and much more are displayed through out the store.

After the ceremony, the reception bar was downstairs, and the reception dinner was on the second level. This place can hold up to 350 guests comfortably, but her wedding was only about 150 guests.

The catering food was OK, it’s a wedding and depends on the budget, so we didn’t have much to say about the food. The tables and chairs were all different. Nothing alike, so it was very unique to see the setting, regardless, it was a very romantic and vintage like wedding.
While we were there, they also have am outdoor in the back, open space, for guests to go outside with fresh air and mingle.
The service by the catering was good. We all had a good time at the wedding.

Such an amazing venue, words can’t describe. Whether it’s for a wedding, an art show or a gala, Salvage one is the ideal spot. Tucked away near west town off the beaten path there is plenty of street parking. The inside of this place is like a time warp wonderland. Old and antique furniture, art, and random items like you’d never expect to find. You could just wander this place playing with things, sitting on things and just generally being in awe. I’ve been to several events here and really just want to move in. There’s also a really cool patio space to expand your party outdoors.

Floors upon floors upon floors of vintage wares and a place to hold your wedding? Yeah, Salvage One really sort of has it all. Including a handmade craft show we happened to stumble upon last weekend, so eye over their website to keep up to date on events. No matter your style or era you’re shopping for, odds are you’ll find something unique to add to your abode!

I’ve heard a ton about this place, and when I was invited to an event here, I definitely wanted to check it out.
It had been described to me as a really unique space, great for parties, dinners, weddings, etc, so I was really excited to check it out.
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It’s not that I didn’t think the space was cool, it just was so much haphazard than I anticipated. I’m not sure if it was just the event I was just set up in this way, but I was surprised that aside from the older couches and interesting furniture, it was mostly folding chairs and tables. I’m not sure if this is the case for weddings and fancier parties as well?
The space itself was huge, with numerous floors and up to date bathrooms. The area around the site is somewhat deserted and parking is a bit confusing — I couldn’t figure out if I was parking in an acceptable spot or if I was in some sort of permit situation. I ended up driving around to make sure I was in a spot where I woudln’t get towed. Not sure if I just missed a sign or something?
The décor is really interesting, a mish mosh of all sorts of random items. Some of them are unique and interesting and some are just weird. Definitely the spot to use if you’re looking for an eclectic party space.
All in all, I thought it was ok and interesting, but it wasn’t somewhere that I would seek out (most likely) for an event. Staff was great and the space is definitely huge if you’re looking to have a large crowd somewhere in a space where you can definitely tailor things to your needs.

This place is amazing.
So much character and personality in every corner of the building. Where else are you gonna find vintage pinball machines and unique avant garde sculpture mingling together with brick walls and hardwood floors? I remember Capcom rented out this space for one of their fight clubs a few years back, and it was awesome.

Aside from the recent Unilocal elite event I’ve never been to this venue but it is seriously unique, huge, and beautiful.
Final Verdict:
I could see myself booking this place for a party for sure! Awesome furniture, big space upstairs, and a great stage for a band with great acoustics for the kind of space — all and all awesome.

Very cute space, but a little disorganized for my taste. there was a wedding rehearsal taking place when I stopped by for a Unilocal event. I think it would probably be the perfect place for hipsters to get married. It also worked as a pretty cool venue for the tasting/​sampling Unilocal event that I went to last night.

Was here for a Unilocal event (because I would’ve never thought to come here on my own). What an unbelievably eclectic assortment of worthless junk and ‘priceless’ artifacts… it’s like Indiana Jones meets the TV show Hoarders.
The spiffiest items (at least that I saw) included:
*A set of two Oriental dragon statues that one might find guarding the entrance to a P.F. Chang’s, priced at $ 1,600. Each.
*The front half of a car, the engine compartment loaded with dusty old LP albums.
*A Thwomp! As in, the big stone crushing block from the ‘Super Mario’ franchise. I was so excited to see this unusual piece of video game memorabilia I think I peed a little.
Apart from that, there were countless bronze statues (a very cool Lady Justice costing eight grand) and nice little seating niches that made the large floorspace seem much smaller and cozier. It’s hard to describe to someone apart from just saying «there’s shit EVERYWHERE», in all nooks and crannies.
A totally bizarre and eccentric place; it’s an artsy hipsters’ paradise. While I’m neither artsy, nor a hipster, I liked this place a lot. From the outside, this building gives off a semi-​rapey-​vibe, but if I ever sought some unusual décor for my apartment, Salvage One would be the first place I’d look.

UNIQUE EVENTS
I use to come here all of the time and look at the cool architectural pieces and think I need that. I remember over 15 years ago I was going to buy a giant column from a ancient church in Europe, that was for sale here. Where was I going to put it? Not a clue. How was I going to get it home? No idea. I knew it was not fitting in my vehicle. But I was smart enough to walk away.
I use to come back at least once a month to see all of the interesting stuff. Honestly everything here was so cool but really did I need it.
Somewhere down the line people started having events here and why not. It is truly unique. The first floor has two old bars that can be used as bars at your wedding. There is even a full chapel set up with pews. Oh and those bars are right next to that area. It’s time to have the best vows ever while enjoying an adult cocktail. The second floor has tables and chairs that are all miss matched. It makes for some really interesting photos of your guests. There is also an area up here which is perfect to place your band or DJ. And lets not forget about the three wooden bars up here. Yeah there’s a party on every floor.
Recently I attended the Goose Island launch of there new 312 Urban Pale Ale. Imagine this place packed full of craft brew loving Chicagoans. Yeah it was a real party. The first floor had a bar exclusively handing out tall boys of the new 312. The second floor had two bars pouring different brews from Goose Island along with the new beer. Everyone was really happy. How can you not be happy? You’re in a cool venue with free local beer! Life doesn’t get any better then this.
So if your looking to have your wedding here then this is the place. I read that fellow Unilocaler Sarah is going to have her future wedding bash here. I know it will be totally a 5 star Unilocal party.
The ultimate bash is coming April 3, 2014. Unilocalers are going to take this place over and say goodbye to Chiberia. There are going to be great vendors serving food and drink. It is about time to get this summer party started. And we are going to be doing it here. I can hardly wait.

Okay listen up future potential gentlemen suitors, this is where I want my wedding. Well here or somewhere equally random & incredible. :P
I went to a wedding here on Sunday night and it was such a dreamy venue for the event. By day it’s an antique shop. And I’m not talking oh let me find a cheap find, garage sale style antique shop. I’m talking huge stone pillars for 25K antiques. Mind you, you get two of the giant pillars for this price but still ever so slightly rich for my blood. The shop is full of fabulous items but just know you’re going to be digging deep into your pockets for them. Or maybe you live a bit better than me and it will be but a fingernail for you to purchase items here whereas it’s an arm & a leg for me.
Now with all of these marvelous pieces on the main level, it sure made for some unique photos with my friends. I had one behind a candelabra, my friend’s boyfriend played an old timey piano as she leaned over with adoration, we pulled the cord for an old school elevator, sat on a bean bag chair in a room of white objects and made a happy home in a carving of a half of a room. I’ve added some for your viewing pleasure.
Aside from all the spectacular objects around, this was just a great wedding with a unique twist. They started with a cocktail hour at 5 followed by the ceremony on the main level among all the antiques at 6. Sitting with drink in hand on the pews during the ceremony made many of us wedding goers beyond happy. Definitely my ideal and I’m going to steal that for my possible one day down the road with mystery man nuptials.
Following the ceremony and a bit more cocktailing/​appetizing (beef wellington was the bomb yo), we all moseyed on upstairs to be greeted by another lovely space. It was huge yet inviting with an eclectic feel. Every table was a different size with different chairs and it was not assigned seating (thank goodness!). Big dance floor with an elevated stage area plus a slightly elevated VIP type of section which was perfect for more photo ops. My friend getting married was telling me you have to use their vendors for the space but the food was delish and the staff was lovely & accommodating so I don’t see that as being any type of issue.
If you’re going here for a wedding or other event, you’re in for a treat. If you’re thinking about having your wedding here, you must! Just don’t steal my day, please!

What do awesome girls do when their S.O. (Significant Others) go golfing? They go antique shopping. I mean, we could have gone golfing. I am an AMAZING golf cart driver, but I am a better shopper. So, when my hubby and my friend Leah’s man went golfing, we went antiquing.
I am struggling a little bit with the nomenclature of this adventure. «Antiquing» feels shabby chic to me and «vintage» feels like shopping at Don Draper’s house. I am going to settle on vintage.
The Salvage One associates were preparing for an event that afternoon, so they were a little distracted when we walked in. Their weddings are allegedly beautiful and different. Many online reviewers give high marks to the service they get from their Salvage One event planner. As Leah and I were walking around, we saw several areas that could be made into an aisle or alter for a wedding and plenty of other space that could be used for a photo shoot or a cocktail party.
At Salvage One, I seemed to want everything. Random bar carts, lamps, and every black leather chair, I debated buying. There were also ski-​ball machines, church pews, and huge in-​tact wooden bars. Many of their refurbished items and larger furniture pieces, I would describe as «loft-​suitable».
When we went upstairs to the third floor, there was absolutely no one up there and that is, of course, when we ran into the Horror Movie Doors.
I ended up buying a giant letter ‘G’ because it was red and awesome. When checking out, they told me about their frequent guest program that is the most generous program I have ever heard of (your percentage off increases dramatically each time you come back). I am a huge fan of discounts.
All in, you should definitely come here.

This is a really cool place. Tons of mid-​century modern furniture and an awesome venue to see it all.
We bought a vintage bar cart here for $ 75, which was way less than we were planning on paying (like a quarter of our budget). We’re really happy with it.
We come here somewhat often to see what’s new (unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a ton of product turnover). We’ve been eyeing a few credenzas and leather chairs, but they’re just too expensive for our tastes.
Nonetheless, we’ll continue to come back.
The guy at the desk always seems a little less than enthused when you ask a question. We’ve emailed before about an item’s dimensions and instead of telling us the info we were looking for they just directed us to the site (the item wasn’t initially on the site, and after they emailed back it was). Just seems lazy to me.

After a rather dull Christmas party in an overpriced downtown hotel, my best friend’s IT company took it upon themselves not to make the same mistake twice. I admittedly don’t know how the usually conservative HR department managed to locate Salvage One. Word of mouth or the scintillating reviews on Unilocal probably had something to do with it.
The buzz started building after a select team went to scope out the space for a large company. Apparently they liked what they saw but managed to keep the surprise mostly under wraps until we received our invitations and all piled over towards Goose Island. Salvage One’s location belies how awesome the site is. Caught up in the old brick factories and lofts used by countless industrial businesses, it looks like just another warehouse from the exterior.
Ground floor serves as a shop selling all the fixtures from generations of Chicago architecture, both commercial and residential. Products range from grandiose, monumental mirrors and capstones to tiny décor. I remember distinctly the wall of doorknobs that had me salivating over interior design. The brilliant presentation in an open-​beam, rough-​wood floored building sets off the artistic marvels better than any slick, posh environment could. We all spent quite a bit of time oggling everything. Then we were headed upstairs for what amounts to one of the coolest loft venues in the city.
Salvage One’s upper floor is a huge, open space with corner washrooms and a functioning kitchen. Windows overlook the street and the river, but they really give everyone streetside a jealous conniption for all the gorgeous silhouettes of glamorous partiers dressed to the nines. The wooden floor makes setting up a dance floor effortless, and the hot spot under all those lights is a large raised platform with couches and chairs. Want to feel like a queen or emperor overlooking their court? Get up there. Carved screens offered some privacy for conversation but all the mingling crowds moving between the sushi station or mashed potatoes in a martini glass bar that seems to show up in every party lately were spread out comfortably. Service from the staff was topnotch throughout, and our dishes disappeared, fresh plates of food reappearing.
Needless to say, the company has held their corporate functions here every year since. It’s a fantastic place in the winter and a perfect venue for any kind of revel. We all let our hair down, marveled, and enjoyed one another’s company.
I’d knock a star off for the poor parking arrangements for a Christmas party: the lot across the street is fenced in and spaces are limited; we ended up relying on street parking a few blocks away because of the sheer congestion and we showed up early. Trudging through the cold Chicago winter sucks, but what can S1 do about it, build a parking garage? I don’t blame them for that so much as I do Chicago’s abysmal parking situation.