Squirrel Park

[Spartan]

Except trailers are highly susceptible to the elements.

[urbanCOWBOY]

I like the name a lot. Seems relevant in its natural setting. It is much better than Brickopolis.

This development is huge for this area! The site plan seems interesting because it is oriented to the west. The assessor shows that Labyrinth LLC owns Ol' Gyro. Thinking forward, it would be great if they could acquire the Subway and combine all three of these parcels together to create an eclectic community. It could be called the Squirrel Compound.

[Pete]

The urban core needs more large spaces for rent.

Right now, the only options are expensive new apartment, older smaller apartments and not many homes for rent.

[twade]

These have a lot of potential for the affordable, minimalist living that the younger people seem to be attracted to. On some blogs for these kinds of homes, I've seen these done really well and some done in a way that look shaky. Landscaping is a crucial element. The big fear, if not done right and well-maintained, is they could become the 21st century trailer parks.

Agree, it's all about the maintenance! Having these for lease hedges the risk there. I think these are great, and I think they could continue to push more youth into the inner ring. I have friends in other cities who are considering leaving the suburbs to buy in shipping container neighborhoods. I think they will be a big hit.

I was always skeptical of shipping container developments until I stumbled out of a casino and into the Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas a few years ago. It really opened my eyes, and has proven to be a big hit there. I know OKSEA is limited on space, but I'd like to see a scaled-up version near dowtown...maybe where the pop-up shops in Midtown now exist:

Downtown Container Park - Boutique Shopping, Unique Dining, Live Entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada

[Mike_M]

Maybe I'm skimming over it, but what kind of price point are these expected to go for?

[Pete]

Prices are not yet set.

[Just the facts]

Maybe I'm skimming over it, but what kind of price point are these expected to go for?

It should be pretty low on the price scale because shipping containers are by far the least expensive building material. I have seen amazing homes that cost $30,000 to build using them. If I could find a reasonably priced lot in an area of Jax I like I would live in 1 (well, 1 might be small but I could do 3 with a rooftop patio).

[Pete]

I was told by architects -- including the one that designed OKSea -- that building with shipping containers is not cheaper or quicker, just easier to move at a later time.

[sooner88]

I was told by architects -- including the one that designed OKSea -- that building with shipping containers is not cheaper or quicker, just easier to move at a later time.

I've heard the same thing from the people that put the containers in the Monterey building on 13th. And some instances it was more expensive.

[Just the facts]

Building with 2x4 wood can have enormous cost differences as well, and I am sure the same variation can be had in building with shipping containers, but shipping containers are used world wide for housing students, workers, and the poor. There is a reason for that. For commercial properties I imagine the majority of cost has nothing to do with the shipping container.

[Pete]

^

Far, far more housing for students, workers and the poor are constructed from traditional materials.

Apart from novelty, the only real advantage of containers is subsequent portability.

[Just the facts]

^

Far, far more housing for students, workers and the poor are constructed from traditional materials.

Apart from novelty, the only real advantage of containers is subsequent portability.

In this country yes. According to Bob Villa a shipping container house should cost 1/2 the price of a traditional house per sq foot.

http://www.shipping-container-housing.com/

[Pete]

As you previously posted, there is a huge variation in the cost per square foot in any sort of construction.

But apples to apples and considering all costs (not the least of which is shipping containers to the property, cutting them, insulation, etc.) I seriously doubt you would save any money using shipping containers and all research pretty much indicates the same.

[betts]

What's wrong with 32nd and Classen?

There's nothing wrong with 32nd and Classen. I just happen to like living closer to downtown than that myself, and since I already do, I have no reason to move further out.

[ljbab728]

One concern I would have is lack of insulation. It would appear that heating and cooling expenses might be higher in this type of housing.

[twade]

One concern I would have is lack of insulation. It would appear that heating and cooling expenses might be higher in this type of housing.

Some of the ones I've seen have foam insulation sprayed to the container walls, and walls sandwiched the insulation between the outer walls and inner walls. If properly sealed, I wonder if there is little difference between a foamed shipping container and a walk-in freezer.

[jerrywall]

I've also heard of folks using ceramic based spray paints, which supposedly adds a surprising amount of insulation.

[Rover]

This type of paint MAY help with IR heat gain by deflecting, but has not been independently proven to work otherwise. In conjunction with traditional insulation, and used on surfaces exposed directly to hard sunlight, it may HELP, but is generally not recommended as a primary insulation.

[mukkuu]

any update on this?

[Tundra]

Bids are due 6-23-16 , so I would imagine it's going to be starting quite soon.

[Teo9969]

Here's a question that's related to this project:

Let's say you buy a plot of land for $50,000 and then you build a shipping container home on it for another $150,000 (inclusive of all on-site utility connections). Your total cost invested in the project is $200k. Later on, you want to move that home, so you buy another plot of land within 25 miles that costs $15,000 and does not have any complicated utility issues. What is the cost going to be of moving and installing this same container home to that new plot of land? I assume it wouldn't be $150k, but surely there would be some amount of "re-construction" costs, no?

[Pete]

From shawnw:

[Pete]

[Pete]

[shawnw]

Not too shabby but taking forever for what it is. I've not seen it as much ever since Ali's closeed, as I was a regular there...