Description:

Materials Unlimited, an architectural antiques shop is open Tuesday — Saturday 10AM – 5PM. Sunday 12PM-5PM

Materials Unlimited has an interesting history. It evolved from a demolition company co-owned by founder, Reynold Lowe. He was trained in the fine arts, and earned his Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Michigan in sculpture and photography. While a student, he also taught in the School of Fine Art and the School of Architecture.

His passion for architectural details led him to first salvage job which was an old house in Ann Arbor slated for demolition. That began as a personal project, but quickly led him into a business venture. In 1972, he joined forces with the demolition contractor and saved countless architectural treasures from the bulldozer.

Since 1981 Materials Unlimited has been located an historic art deco building in downtown Ypsilanti that dates back to 1926. This 15,000 square foot showroom is comprised of three floors filled with antiques, restored fireplace mantels, leaded glass doors, stained and beveled glass windows, salvaged hardware, and other architectural items. Over the years, Materials Unlimited has added a production department that restores antique furniture and architectural appointments. Rewiring antique light fixtures, finding creative new uses for salvaged antiques and working with homeowners who are restoring historic properties are their specialties. They attract people from all over the country who are restoring old homes or building architectural features into new construction.