Chicago’s main gallery district in River North is justifiably well-known and is within walking distance of all of my recommended hotels in the city. I love browsing this neighborhood, but this time, I ventured farther afield to the up-and-coming “Grand Avenue Design District” west of downtown on Grand between Wood Street and Oakley Boulevard. The streetscape of warehouses and storefronts looks unremarkable, but several of the shops have enticing collections of salvaged architectural elements, antiques and edgy contemporary furniture.

Urban Remains

This salvage-focused company has two stores on the same block, an attractive showroom at 1818 West Grand, and a dusty but comprehensive warehouse at 1850 West Grand. We discovered everything from vintage brass grilles to art deco chandeliers to a terra-cotta pelican.

1818 and 1850 West Grand Avenue. Tel. (312) 492-6254