“Our inventory is not for the faint of heart.”
That’s not a warning—it’s a welcome. At Architectural Artifacts, Stuart Grannen isn’t interested in playing it safe. He is here to make a statement. Big pieces, rare forms, stories etched in stone, metal and time … if it doesn’t stop you in your tracks, it won’t make the cut at Architectural Artifacts.
This fall, Grannen brings a towering highlight to Market Hill: two monumental pairs of carved limestone American eagles, each 7 feet tall, 6 feet wide and weighing in at three tons apiece. Sourced from the rooftop of a 1920s Chicago candy factory, they’re sculptural, commanding and destined for a statement entrance—be it a Texas ranch, boutique hotel or next-level residence.
But those are just the opening act. Behind the scenes, a dozen 40-foot shipping containers are on the way to Round Top, along with four off-site warehouses full of architectural salvage, world-class design, and too many wow-worthy pieces to squeeze into a single showroom.
“We offer the chance to own what no one else has,” Grannen said. “And we do it in a way no one else does.”
Grannen’s story began with a pane of stained glass he bought and sold at age seven. From there, it never stopped. His childhood home was filled with high-end 18th-century American antiques; and weekend visits to museums and antiques shops were the norm. He studied archaeology in college, but the real education came through decades of hunting, traveling and learning where to find magic .
“I was put on this earth to find beautiful objects and offer them back to the world,” Grannen said.
That’s more than a mission statement—it’s a lived philosophy. For over 60 years, Grannen has sourced, restored and sold some of the most remarkable architectural finds in the industry. And even now, the chase excites him.
“Everyone says the inventory isn’t out there anymore,” he said. “That’s nonsense. It’s out there—you just have to put in the time, the travel, the passion and, yes, the money. The next great piece is always out there.”
Each time Grannen shows at Round Top, the response grows. Designers, builders, trade professionals with big ideas, bold tastes and no time for the ordinary all flock to Grannen’s finds. Architectural Artifacts has become a must-stop destination for people who don’t just decorate, they build experiences. And they come to Grannen because they know he’ll have what others won’t: large-scale, showstopping inventory with soul.
“We’re not for everyone, and we’re proud of that,” he said. “But the people who get it, get it.”
The experience matches the inventory: confident, bold and completely original. Expect cool music, great wine and a no-nonsense team that knows the story behind every piece. And above all, an atmosphere that invites people to slow down, take it all in and ask questions.
This fall, Architectural Artifacts returns to Market Hill with a clear message: if you want the best and the rarest, you’ve found us.
Grannen is the first to say that there’s no finish line. “I’m not done,” he said. “Each show pushes me to do more. To find more. To build something I’m proud of. Round Top keeps getting better for us. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what we can do here.”
Visitors who make the effort to look beyond the showroom will be rewarded. The store is just the front door to a much bigger world—dozens of massive pieces live off-site, tucked into warehouse spaces and storage containers for those savvy enough to ask.
Tell them what you’re hunting for, and you just might get invited into the vault.
Go behind the scenes with Grannen on Instagram @architecturalartifacts, and view some Architectural Artifacts inventory on their website at www.architecturalartifacts.com.