Home restoration buffs in San Diego and beyond are saying a fond farewell to a local business that has been a leader in the environmental consumerism through reuse movement. Little Italy-based Architectural Salvage is closing its doors Jan. 14, after 28 years providing reclaimed vintage windows, bathtubs, doorknobs, light fixtures and more, sourced from worldwide locations and vendors.
Founded by artist Elizabeth Scalice, the store has attracted customers as diverse as first-time homeowners to celebrities such as Barbra Streisand and Bill Murray, as well as businesses such as Cohn Restaurant Group which has featured pieces from the store in its restaurants. Craft & Commerce is another venue that used its reclaimed items.
Architectural Salvage also became an important source for owners of San Diego historic homes wishing to preserve their homes’ historical heritage. Scalice’s own home project renovating the William and Ida Cook House in Mission Hills inspired her to open Architectural Salvage and won her a Save Our Heritage Organisation People in Preservation Award in 2011.
Architectural Salvage will be celebrating its 28 years Jan. 12-14 with special events at 2401 Kettner Blvd.
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The San Diego Foundation announced last week it has tapped real estate developer and investor Nicole Forrest to serve as executive director of its San Diego Housing Fund initiative. In addition to Forrest, the foundation also appointed its Chief Financial Officer James Howell to the fund’s board and to serve as its managing partner.
The San Diego Housing Fund was seeded with a $10 million commitment from the San Diego Foundation in March of 2022 – the largest grant from the foundation in its history. The investment fund officially launched last year to improve housing accessibility by partnering with investors, developers and property owners to create housing for San Diegans.
According to its website, the San Diego Housing Fund has three pipeline projects: 300-500 units in East Village at 12th and Imperial; the 150-200-unit Bridgedeck project in Normal Heights; and the 64-unit Kettner Crossing project in Little Italy.
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Scripps Research has announced some initial plans to celebrate its centennial this year. The nonprofit biomedical institute was founded in 1924 by philanthropist and journalist Ellen Browning Scripps, and has emerged as one of the world’s leading institutions, known for groundbreaking discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, heart disease, cancer and more.
Centennial celebration activities this year will include special campus installations, a Front Row lecture series for the public, a commemorative Scripps Research Magazine issue and a video series showing Scripps’ scientific achievements.
In addition, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria will proclaim Scripps Research Day on Feb. 16 at an exclusive event for Scripps Research staff and media.
