Approaching Stuart Grannen’s home is an experience in itself, marked by the unexpected. Tucked down an unremarkable alley in the industrial heart of Chicago, this 1900s former charcoal factory stands in quiet contrast to its surroundings. Draped in creeping ivy and raw steel, the concrete structure, hidden in plain sight, exudes an original and raw kind of charm. It’s an urban sanctuary that, from the outside, gives little away. But as you pass through the motorised roll-up door and step inside, a whole new world unfolds – a world crafted with intention, history and a deep respect and love for imperfection.
Grannen, globally known as one of the foremost dealers in architectural artefacts, has spent decades amassing a collection of antiques and rare objects that stretch across continents and centuries. His store, Architectural Artifacts, is housed in a 37,000sqft former school, where the grandiosity of his business is on full display. But Grannen’s home, by contrast, offers an intimate glimpse into his personal world, one shaped by a profound love for simplicity, decay and the art of living with objects that carry a past.
