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  4. A community of shipping container homes in Chicago starting at $300,000 is already attracting interest — see what it'll look like

A community of shipping container homes in Chicago starting at $300,000 is already attracting interest see what it'll look like

Brittany Chang   

A community of shipping container homes in Chicago starting at $300,000 is already attracting interest — see what it'll look like
Vincennes Village
  • A community of 12 shipping container homes starting at $300,000 will be built in Chicago in 2023.
  • Its project manager said they've already received interest from "hundreds" of prospective buyers.

Wood-framed homes have had their time in the spotlight. Now, it's all about creative construction methods.

Wood-framed homes have had their time in the spotlight. Now, it
andykazie/Getty Images

The US’ ongoing housing crisis has forced many construction companies and startups to seek out unique ways to build homes.

The US’ ongoing housing crisis has forced many construction companies and startups to seek out unique ways to build homes.
New US home sales dropped sharply in June, data showed on Tuesday.      CHRIS DELMAS/Getty Images

While some have turned to 3D printing or prefabrication …

While some have turned to 3D printing or prefabrication …
Casey Dunn

… others are now breathing new life into used shipping containers by turning them into modern and luxurious multi-story homes.

… others are now breathing new life into used shipping containers by turning them into modern and luxurious multi-story homes.
The Box Hop

And soon, potential homeowners in Chicago could find themselves living in one of these unique steel dwellings.

And soon, potential homeowners in Chicago could find themselves living in one of these unique steel dwellings.
Vincennes Village

In 2023, a community of 12 shipping container homes will be built in the South Side of Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing community.

In 2023, a community of 12 shipping container homes will be built in the South Side of Chicago
Vincennes Village

These units will be the first shipping container-based single family homes in the city, according to the team behind the project.

These units will be the first shipping container-based single family homes in the city, according to the team behind the project.
Vincennes Village

And buyers' interest in these distinctive dwellings is already strong.

And buyers
Vincennes Village

The "Vincennes Village" will be built on a plot of land owned by the project's developer Anthony Casboni.

The "Vincennes Village" will be built on a plot of land owned by the project
Vincennes Village

Some critics say working with these steel boxes can be difficult and costly.

Some critics say working with these steel boxes can be difficult and costly.
Vincennes Village

Source: Insider

But the team behind Vincennes Village believes the inverse.

But the team behind Vincennes Village believes the inverse.
Vincennes Village

Darryl Burton, the project manager, told Insider in an email interview that building homes out of containers will require less materials, time, and labor compared to a traditional home …

Darryl Burton, the project manager, told Insider in an email interview that building homes out of containers will require less materials, time, and labor compared to a traditional home …
Vincennes Village

… allowing the team to introduce what it says will be "luxury housing at an affordable price" to Chicago's real estate market.

… allowing the team to introduce what it says will be "luxury housing at an affordable price" to Chicago
Vincennes Village

The customizable houses in Vincennes Village will start at $300,000.

The customizable houses in Vincennes Village will start at $300,000.
Vincennes Village

To compare, the median sale price of homes in the Greater Grand Crossing market sits at $200,000, according to data from Redfin.

To compare, the median sale price of homes in the Greater Grand Crossing market sits at $200,000, according to data from Redfin.
Vincennes Village

Source: Redfin

The container homes may be significantly above the median price, but at least they'll have a handful of luxurious amenities.

The container homes may be significantly above the median price, but at least they
Vincennes Village

"Considering the pandemic housing market and the current demographics of the area, we felt the neighborhood needed housing that better reflected the future of Chicago," Burton said.

"Considering the pandemic housing market and the current demographics of the area, we felt the neighborhood needed housing that better reflected the future of Chicago," Burton said.
Vincennes Village

The one to two-car garage homes will range from 1,200 to 1,500 square-feet.

The one to two-car garage homes will range from 1,200 to 1,500 square-feet.
Vincennes Village

Vincennes Village hasn't published any information regarding the floor plans …

Vincennes Village hasn
Vincennes Village

… but it has said the homes will have amenities like 10-foot-tall ceilings, recessed lights, and patios.

… but it has said the homes will have amenities like 10-foot-tall ceilings, recessed lights, and patios.
Vincennes Village

The team will be using 40-foot-long by eight-foot-wide containers to build these three to four bedroom homes.

The team will be using 40-foot-long by eight-foot-wide containers to build these three to four bedroom homes.
Vincennes Village

The containers — sourced locally — won't be worn down from heavy use.

The containers — sourced locally — won
Vincennes Village

Instead, the steel boxes will have only been used once for their intended purpose before being turned into these homes, saving the container from landfill.

Instead, the steel boxes will have only been used once for their intended purpose before being turned into these homes, saving the container from landfill.
Vincennes Village

Steel shipping containers aren't known for keeping interiors warm.

Steel shipping containers aren
Vincennes Village

So to make them more comfortable during Chicago's chilly winters, the team will be beefing up its insulation according to city guidelines, Burton said.

So to make them more comfortable during Chicago
Vincennes Village

And because the containers have built-in walls, the construction process will be fast: A home can be built in three to four months, the team says.

And because the containers have built-in walls, the construction process will be fast: A home can be built in three to four months, the team says.
Vincennes Village

The first will be on sale in January 2023 …

The first will be on sale in January 2023 …
Vincennes Village

… while the full community will be finished nine months later.

… while the full community will be finished nine months later.
Vincennes Village

Living in a home constructed out of steel boxes may not sound appealing to homebuilding traditionalists.

Living in a home constructed out of steel boxes may not sound appealing to homebuilding traditionalists.
Vincennes Village

But so far, Vincennes Village has already heard from hundreds of prospective buyers, Burton said.

But so far, Vincennes Village has already heard from hundreds of prospective buyers, Burton said.
Vincennes Village

And this could be the start of more shipping container projects in the Windy City: The team is now in talks with some Chicago landowners about potential container home projects.

And this could be the start of more shipping container projects in the Windy City: The team is now in talks with some Chicago landowners about potential container home projects.
Vincennes Village

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