A new housing trend is rising: shipping containers.
In an age of sustainability, architects have started looking for unique ways to reduce waste and reuse existing materials. Shipping container properties do just that.
What Is a Shipping Container Property?
Shipping container properties are exactly what they sound like—homes, duplexes, or apartment communities built from shipping containers major corporations use to transport inventory. Shipping containers are made of corrugated Corten Steel, a steel alloy whose name refers to its two distinguishing characteristics: corrosion resistance and tensile strength.
Shipping container properties come in many shapes and sizes, but most architects seek to maintain the industrial look that sets these types of buildings apart.
When did this start?
The history of shipping container buildings can be traced back to the 1970s, when British architect Nick Lacey proposed the idea in his university thesis. He later constructed Container Cities 1 and 2 in the early 2000s as workspaces for the architectural design company Container City.
But the man most often credited with the idea of shipping container architecture is Phillip Clark. In 1987, he submitted a patent application titled “Method for converting one or more steel shipping containers into a habitable building at a building site and the product thereof” (which rolls right off the tongue) and was granted the patent in 1989. His patent expired in 2007.
Why shipping containers?
There are three reasons for the use of shipping containers in home construction: durability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
The steel alloy used to make shipping containers—often called “weathering steel”—is designed to withstand the elements and hold thousands of pounds of cargo. This makes it the perfect building block for a habitable building.
Shipping containers are also appealing because they reuse existing materials. Converted buildings are nothing new, but shipping containers take upcycling to the next level by giving discarded cargo containers a new trendy life.
Construction time for shipping container buildings is much faster, which cuts down on construction costs. After preparation, Container City 1 was installed in two days and Container City 2 was installed in eight. With a good contractor, a shipping container home could be prepared and installed within a month.
Top 7 Coolest Shipping Container Properties
If shipping container properties have caught your eye, here are the seven coolest, most unique rental properties converted from shipping containers.
69 Kings Rd, Brisbane, California
What makes it unique:
- Views of San Francisco Bay
- Stainless steel appliances
- Firepit
Tucked just south of San Francisco along the San Francisco Bay, this 2-bedroom home in the heart of Brisbane gives you small town charm and refreshing sea breeze. Its location near San Francisco makes it easy to commute to nearby biotech companies.
Enjoy mountain views from the firepit in the backyard or from an egg chair on the porch, and the landscaping with native plants shows off the best of California.
1570 Myra Ave, Los Angeles, California
What makes it unique:
- Patios and rooftop decks
- Loft bedroom
- Tiny home
At a whopping 300 square feet, this little home in Los Feliz counts as a tiny house.
But its small size is the least interesting thing about it. This shipping container home has plenty of rooftop and patio space to enjoy the LA air, and nifty storage solutions under the stairs allow residents to keep holiday décor on hand. The loft bedroom is surrounded by windows, allowing residents to wake up to natural sunlight.
27221 Sawday Truck Trail, Ramona, California
What makes it unique:
- Furnished
- Firepit
- Tiny home
This little rental is on a ranch in the middle of Ramona wine country, giving you access to California’s best red blends. The home’s wood finishes give it a country chic look, and the numerous windows around the property let in natural sunlight.
While the interior is adorable, the exterior is the main attraction. Rocking chairs on the front porch allow you to enjoy the fresh air underneath twinkling string lights, a hammock in the yard makes for the perfect reading spot, and the firepit is great for roasting marshmallows with your closest friends.
Freight Residences, Denver, Colorado
What makes it unique:
- Industrial kitchen
- Concrete flooring
- Shipping container pool
Freight Residences is an apartment community in Denver made from shipping containers and offering units with up to four bedrooms. The community’s industrial architecture is décor on its own, but each unit’s minimalism allows residents’ style to shine through.
Don’t confuse shipping container living with a lack of luxury. This community has EV charging stations, basketball and volleyball courts, and a shipping container pool perfect for enjoying summer in Denver.
Signal Hill Studios, Kansas City, Missouri
What makes it unique:
- Patios
- Quartz countertops
- Views of Downtown Kansas City
Signal Hills Studios is an exclusive apartment community with only 48 units. Residents enjoy views of Downtown Kansas City while enjoying the peace and quiet in the Westside South neighborhood. Big fan of the Chiefs? Signal Hill Studios is only a 20-minute drive to Arrowhead Stadium.
Each studio unit is 360 square feet, encouraging a minimalist lifestyle. Don’t let the small size fool you—each unit has a small kitchen with a two-burner stove, a corner closet, a sunroom, and a private balcony.
908 Container Park Ln, Wilmington, North Carolina
What makes it unique:
- Built-in queen-size bed
- Walk-in closet
- Private upstairs patio
This converted shipping container is the epitome of rags to riches, with modern finishes and an open concept living area. The bedroom suite features a built-in queen-size bed, a full bathroom with a standing shower, and a walk-in closet with a washer and dryer. The private balcony is perfect for watching the sunset.
This building’s novelty is appealing, but its location is the main selling point. This rental is located in the South Side neighborhood of Wilmington, right along the Cape Fear River. This places residents within a 10-minute drive to Downtown Wilmington and a 20-minute drive to Wrightsville Beach.
83 Freight, Nashville, Tennessee
What makes it unique:
- Exposed pipes
- Energy-efficient Pella windows
- EV charging
Enjoy Music City in this quirky apartment community. This industrial building in South Nashville is the epitome of modern converted living, with 9-foot exposed ceilings, EV charging stations, and energy-efficient Pella windows to help lower your energy bill.
Enjoy views of Downtown Nashville from a private balcony, or mingle with your neighbors in the community courtyard. All units come equipped with full-size stainless steel appliances, and smaller units have Murphy bedframes that allow for more living space during the day.
Ready to Make the Move?
If you’re sold on converted shipping containers, take the next step with Apartments.com! Navigate housing across cities and neighborhoods with our customized search engine. Once you find the perfect location, narrow the search by adding “shipping container” to the keyword list at the bottom of the filters popup.
Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place.
