Where Does Our Salvage Come From?
January 25, 2025
When you walk through Originate’s salvage yard, you’re greeted by more than just wood, bricks, and miscellaneous fixtures. You’re stepping into a living museum of stories, history, and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.
Natasha’s passion for architectural salvage didn’t appear out of nowhere—it’s woven into her life story. Growing up in a farm house from the 1800s, she never experienced the monotony of cookie-cutter homes until college. Her love for “old things” and an appreciation for craftsmanship were planted early. Even as a high school student, Natasha was an avid recycler, lugging bottles and cans to the local dump as home recycling didn’t exist back then. That habit of giving materials a second life has stayed with her, right down to pulling recyclables out of the trash at parties, even till this day.
In October 2003, Originate was born, blending eco-friendly building supplies with architectural salvage—a perfect marriage of Natasha’s values and vision. The business had to relocate in 2016 and the new property on Main had a large outdoor area with a detached metal barn, which allowed our architectural salvage offerings to become a much larger part of the business. Almost all salvaged materials are sourced locally, keeping them out of landfills and giving new projects a unique sense of place.
But why architectural salvage? We think older is better! Particularly when it comes to materials like lumber, where older wood has a tighter grain and is stronger than most modern alternatives. Beyond quality, these pieces are one-of-a-kind treasures, adding character and individuality to any space.
The aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi—the Japanese art of appreciating imperfection and blending old with new—has always been a strong influence on Originate’s approach. Salvaged materials aren’t just reused; they’re reimagined. From doors and windows to hardware and light fixtures, each piece tells a story.
Stories Found in Salvage
Bricks from Hotel Congress: These bricks were initially salvaged from the hotel when the 3rd floor burned in 1934 and used to build a garage at a home in West University. In 2023, the garage was going to be taken down so the homeowners could build an addition on their house, they reached out to Originate to find a new home for these special bricks. Hotel Congress was opened in 1919, so these bricks have had quite a journey this past century.
Historic YMCA Gym Flooring:
The original YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) built in 1930 at the corner of Fifth Avenue and University, is a Spanish style building designed by Annie Graham Rockfellow. Over the next few decades the building went thought many renovations till it became a Center for the Arts, Education, and the Environment. The gym was turned in to the Rogue theaters, and in 2019 during those renovations is when the owners reached out to us to find a new home for the maple and oak flooring. And in 2023, the maple flooring was used as a ceiling in the great room of a new built home that prioritized salvage building materials throughout the space.
Small Planet Bakery Floor Joists: This old Tucson bakery was torn down in the spring of 2017 for the Downtown Links road project. We were able to salvage all of the floor joists which were 2×12 Doug Fir pieces up to 18ft long. They have been used for many projects including floating shelves, tables, and other pieces of furniture. Old, tight-grain lumber like these joists are unmatched in quality.
Benedictine Monastery: Called the “Pink Rose of the Desert,” the monastery was built in midtown Tucson in 1939. The Benedictine Sisters sold the building in October 2017 to a local developer, and the building was renovated in to apartments and offices. We were able to salvage a multitude of solid wood doors and windows with distinctive glass that, once adorned this sacred space.
Japanese Architectural Elements and Furniture: In 2021 we were contacted by a couple who lived in Japan for over 20 years. They built a beautiful collection of Japanese items like a Kura door, bamboo screens, ceramic architectural decor, and other pieces of furniture. These are not the normal salvaged items you usually find in Tucson, and it has been such a privilege helping find these items new homes. Several of them were purchased by someone who was building a Japanese style tea ceremony room.
O’Reilly Chevrolet Arch Doors and Windows: In 1929, O’Rielly Motor Company made its first major relocation when it moved to a brand new facility at 415 N. 6th Avenue. The building was designed so that it could function as a bowling alley in case the car dealership did not succeed. We were able to salvage arched doors and windows with glass panes when Mister Carwash bought the building in 2017 to turn it into their South campus. The windows were pretty unique, they were originally used between sales offices and swung open so the salesmen could communicate and pass paperwork from office to office.
Historic Christian Science Church Artifacts: At the corner of Country Club and 5th Street there used to be a beautiful 1949 church built in the Spanish Colonial style which was torn down in 2018 to build high end houses on the edge of the Sam Hughes Neighborhood. We were able to work with the demo contractor to salvage some really beautiful hand forged hardware with fish shapes on them, 3 panel glass doors, solid 6 panel interior doors, and turquoise light fixtures – chandeliers and wall sconces. The light fixtures have made it into two local small businesses, Cero in the Mercado and The Motive in Oro Valley. The doors have gone into so many homes.
Originate’s Cast Iron Spiral Staircase: When we had to leave our warehouse on 9th Avenue built in 1950 because of the Downtown Links road project, we made a point to salvage at much as possible since the building would be torn down. This included the warehouse’s cast iron spiral staircase. It had to be moved by crane to our new location. It was purchased in 2021 for a large landscape project that added a rooftop deck to a residence and again moved by crane to be put in place in its new home.
Architectural salvage isn’t just about saving materials; it’s about preserving history and creating something extraordinary. Each reclaimed piece keeps a bit of Tucson’s past alive while reducing waste and environmental impact. And when those materials find their way into someone’s home or business, they carry not only their original story but a new one, blending history, creativity, and sustainability in ways that only a true lover of old things could achieve. In a world where the new often overshadows the old, Originate hopes to demonstrate what’s possible when you look at the past not as something to discard, but as something to cherish.