Architectural Salvage: Jimmy Kastelberg

Architectural Salvage & Restoration Materials

Business Name: Caravati’s Inc.
Phone: 804-232-4175
Email: caravatis@verizon.net
Website: www.caravatis.com

Most of us recycle bottles, cans and newspapers. Caravati’s recycles old buildings. Not just the bricks and mortar, but the floors and doors, railings and radiators, stairs and sinks. In a throw-away society, the business Jimmy Kastelberg inherited from his grandfather flourishes on the premise that nothing is disposable: every door knob and baluster has value and somebody is bound to have a use for it.

Take the old Victorian mansion that Jimmy helped dismantle years ago for (what else?) a parking deck. After carefully removing its rare Eastlake components, he salvaged an elaborate wrought-iron fence. Today, that fence adorns another house in another part of town, where its beauty continues to be enjoyed. By hanging onto what’s already built experts believe we might conserve our way out of global warming. In which case, we have to hand it to Caravati’s for lightening our environmental footprint.

What attracted you to this field?

I was 13 when I began working for my grandfather, who started Caravati’s in 1939. My friends and I used to build tree houses in the woods behind my home with old lumber, windows and doors my grandfather set aside for us. Every kid in the neighborhood worked on this. This business was part of my life growing up.

What’s changed in the field since you started doing what you do?

The value of material. Real wood, granite, stone, bricks - they’ve gotten expensive. People have turned to low/no maintenance wood and non-wood products. A lot of knock-offs and synthetic reproductions are coming from Europe. Iron work is not wrought iron, it’s thin steel. But young people are thinking twice about what’s being produced and where it comes from. A lot of craftsmanship has been lost and things are being made for quick installation and low upkeep. That may start to change as people become more concerned about the environment.

Job you’re proudest of:

Most of what we acquire is through demolition and sometimes the buildings are very large. When Marymount School was demolished in Richmond, VA about a decade ago, it had incredible mantels, staircases, columns, doors, original bathroom fixtures. The school occupied an elaborate, early 20th century mansion. There was so much to salvage. I’m also proud of carefully removing everything including doors with intricate panels - from a grand Victorian home in downtown Richmond. It was a labor of love hauling out all of that heavy stuff. We had to work very carefully. You still see parts of it living on in other prominent sites around town.

Dream project:

Salvaging an on old mansion along the St. Lawrence River. I can imagine the wonderful things there finding new homes in other buildings.

Why does what you do matter?

Old buildings have a quality, a character that develops over time. My wish is that everyone would put some old components in their house, even if it’s a brand new home. An old mantel, newel post, door, or pine flooring will add so much character and it isn’t something you can buy new.

Hottest items:

Flooring, doors, radiators, and old bricks are our mainstay. But we also sell a lot of column capitals, fireplace surrounds, sinks and toilets. We’re spread out over 40,000 sq.ft. It’s one thing to buy something on line; another to come in here and place your hand it.

Range of services /products you offer:

Demolition and purchase of old house components for retail sales. Items include:

• flooring
• door hardware
• cupboards
• stair parts
• lighting
• plumbing
• tubs
• pedestal sinks
• iron fencing and gates
• old hand-blown glass windows
• Spanish tile and roofing slate
• interior and exterior shutters
• sinks and toilets in discontinued colors