Shipping containers could become condos in Detroit

[flashl]

DETROIT (AP) -- A Detroit-based group hopes to use empty shipping containers to build a $1.8 million, 17-unit condominium project.

The Detroit Free Press reports Tuesday the project would stack empty containers four high, cut in windows and doors, install plumbing, stairways and heating, and add amenities such as balconies and landscaped patios.

Groundbreaking could take place this fall on the project if it wins city approval, and it could open in 2009. It's designed by Detroit-based architect Steven Flum.

Developers plan to offer condominium units measuring 960 to 1,920 square feet. Prices will range from about $100,000 to about $190,000.

NY Times

What was once an effort in the West to provide the homeless housing are now condos?

[hobbit709]

1. And there are empty houses all over Detroit.

And if I had $100-190K to spend, I wouldn't spend it on a glorified packing crate.

[navarth]

3. Yeah, those houses are not in the areas that are fashionable right now.

It's really too bad, all the new stuff is happening in downtown/midtown. There are some great neighborhoods that could use some new residents, including some incredible homes.

It's a wasteful society we live in, damn shame. Most of it is because of cheap oil, changes are coming.

I wouldn't buy a glorified packing crate either.

[Warpy]

5. They're trying to be the next new thing for the Trendies

You know who the Trendies are, they're the bright young things who went from an upper middle class to lower wealthy class upbringing through the Ivy League and into jobs creating paper wealth for the ultra rich. They are the ones who took over lofts from artists in SoHo and made the area too expensive for the artists who'd created the ambience that had attracted them in the first place. Now lofts are passe and they're looking for the next new industrial sort of living space.

They're quite welcome to the shipping containers, IMO. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in one, I don't care how much mink and granite it's lined with.

[navarth]

7. yeah, it's the same old story

hipsters and artists make an area attractive and wealthy squares come in and gentrify.

[navarth]

2. I haven't heard about this...got a direct link?

There are lots of interesting things happening in The D but this is news to me.

[flashl]

4. Links ...

FreePress -Detroit condo project puts discarded containers to use

Container Condo Home Architecture

Shipping Container Condo in Utah

[navarth]

6. OMG

well it's pretty creative looking....in the picture anyway

but I think I'd rather fix up a home in...say, Woodbridge for example

http://www.modeldmedia.com/neighborhoods/woodbridge.aspx

or one of the villiages

http://www.modeldmedia.com/neighborhoods/Thevill.aspx

but that's just me

Go Wings

[flashl]

8. I agree. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. wow---giant ovens...

I prefer something ..."cooler"


or



links to these and others at:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/02/21/baumraum-treehouses/

[AnneD]

10. I think this is posted in the wrong place...

it needs to go on housingbubble.com real homes of genius.

[Angleae]

11. And yet exporters are having problems finding containers

to ship good with

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-containers12-2008may12,0,3407915.story

[flashl]

12. Wonder why the contradictions?

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Department of Planning and Land Use

Effective: 12-31-87
Update: 5-18-07

To provide a uniform policy on the review and issuance of building permits for cargo containers. This policy is to be used in conjunction with Section 6162 of the County Zoning Ordinance.

The shipping industry has found that there is a market for new, used and surplus cargo containers. Re-sold containers were first noticed in this County on individual lots being used as storage buildings. In some cases, containers have been converted to habitable space for offices, concession stands, work shops and other similar uses. Over the years, complaints have been made that many cargo containers are unsightly and are incompatible with surrounding land uses and the community character. In response, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (Section 6162) that regulates the look and location of such containers. Policy MP-26 is being developed to ensure consistency in ordinance interpretation and implementation.

---

Dr. Housing Bubble
(Thanks, AnneD)
May 15th, 2008

A Bubble That Broke the World: Lessons from the Great Depression Part IX. When Credit is Debt.

How the tables have turned. We are now a largely debtor nation. We owe money to China, Japan, Europe, and many other foreign players. We are no longer a lender but the world’s greatest borrower. We are now a debtor in this game. In fact, each day we have to borrow large sums of money to keep consuming at current levels. Our trade deficits show this unnerving fact clearer than anything else. Simply looking at cargo coming into our large ports in San Pedro and Long Beach we see that 3 cargo containers come in with produced goods and we send out 1 container; many times when we export items it is raw materials. This imbalance is harming us. And of course, if we are to learn from Europe during the early part of the 1900s is that war debt drags an economy down into the dumps.