Work is set to soon start on Squirrel Park, a grouping of four living units formed out of shipping containers.


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Developer Peter Schaffer received approval yesterday from the Planning Commission to move forward with the project, which will feature four unique homes. The units at Squirrel Park will initially be for lease with the possibility of being sold as condominiums later.

The units will span two lots on the south side of NW 32nd just east of Classen and represents more urban infill where housing demand has surged in recent years.

The architect is AHMM of London, the same group that designed the recently-completed OKSea project, which was also formed out of containers.

AHMM continues to make an impact on urban Oklahoma City, having already designed Level, Mosaic, The Plow, Duncan Bindery, the American Energy Partners fitness center and the recently announced Bob Moore Headquarters.




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I love these. I would live in a shipping container house - just not on 32nd and Classen. But someone else will be very happy with that location I am sure.

I love these. I would live in a shipping container house - just not on 32nd and Classen. But someone else will be very happy with that location I am sure.

What's wrong with 32nd and Classen?

^Not sure. I just bought a house at 42nd and Classen. Maybe betts knows something we don't.

42nd and classen demographics are a bit different. To me for what these will probably cost I think they will probably be too high to justify for the neighborhood. Being that close to Lees Grand House would be a bonus though.

Interesting idea, but maybe it's just me, it's a terrible name.

Interesting idea, but maybe it's just me, it's a terrible name.

I lol'd when I saw the name as well.

42nd and classen demographics are a bit different. To me for what these will probably cost I think they will probably be too high to justify for the neighborhood. Being that close to Lees Grand House would be a bonus though.

It definitely is a tier or three below the same blocks north of 36th, but there is a decent amount of investment going into the Central Park area right now...just not at the rate of several other inner city neighborhoods. I'm sure they will be priced much higher than the comps in the neighborhood, but you have to start somewhere. In the Highlands area of Denver (which is fairly nice now), there were people building $400k + houses next to dilapidated houses in the sub $50k range as early as 5 or 6 years ago.

On a positive side, it's two blocks from the newly renovated Memorial Park so that will be nice.

Was there historically a park at this location that was removed? Weird name to pick out of the blue if not...

I lol'd when I saw the name as well.

Same reaction. But I am guessing I'm not in the TM.

They could use this as their logo. It's a Beaver, but close enough, right?

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/545307090953060352/mN5J7AbD_400x400.png

Interesting idea, but maybe it's just me, it's a terrible name.

#StillABetterNameThanGigglez

duplicate

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They could use this as their logo. It's a Beaver, but close enough, right?

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/545307090953060352/mN5J7AbD_400x400.png

Get outta here with your beaver.

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Hey that's Bucky !

Power to the Beaver !

I bought my wife a shirt with this logo.....

http://media.giphy.com/media/kKdgdeuO2M08M/giphy.gif

NSFW (http://www.funnypica.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Funny-Squirrels-Funny-Squirrel-Picture-76-FunnyPica.com_.jpg)

I kind of like the name - it's quirky just like the development.

I have a friend that works for the UN in Afghnistan. He lives in a shipping container on the UN compound. Last time he was home we went to Anchor Down. He he walked in and said this looks like where I live!

Container homes are brilliant for this area right now. They're essentially money making place holders. Once the streetcar is running up Classen, the land these sit on will be worth what would currently seem like an obscene amount of money.

42nd and classen demographics are a bit different. To me for what these will probably cost I think they will probably be too high to justify for the neighborhood. Being that close to Lees Grand House would be a bonus though.

So this area is something between Putnam Heights, Military Park, and Central Park. I don't think it's a bad area. It certainly has more potential though. Use Memorial Park for asset-based improvements in cleaning up this neighborhood.

I think as a whole the north side is way more diverse than people realize. Very scattered, mixed-income in nature (which is supposed to be trendy right now?).

I would like to take 5 of them, welded in an octagon shape and have the outside coated by these folks. Industrial Coatings | Rhino Linings Industrial (http://www.rhinoliningsindustrial.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9o-vBRCO0OLi2PfPkI8BEiQA8pdF4ADml7WdjOHAIjVaeioCnRhap Q3l-NuCWY8yq_L9e30aAoQP8P8HAQ)

Have a gazebo with garden or what ever you wanted on your inside courtyard.

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.

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.
My thoughts exactly. Looks like a trailer park.

Except trailers are highly susceptible to the elements.

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.

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.

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 (http://downtowncontainerpark.com/)

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

Prices are not yet set.

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).

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 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.

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.

^

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.

^

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

any update on this?

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

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?

From shawnw:

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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...

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I love the downtown skyline in this shot. . :ot:

Shipping container apartment complex now ready for lease (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=477-Shipping-container-apartment-complex-now-ready-for-lease)

Dubbed 'Squirrel Park', the 4-unit shipping container apartment community on NW 32nd near Classen, is now leasing.


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The project was designed by AHMM Architects using highly unique re-purposed shipping containers and has been nominated for the American Institute of Architects award for outstanding architecture.


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Each 1,260 square foot unit was constructed with four 40's long shipping containers. The containers are stacked and cantilevered in such a way to provide balconies and covered outdoor areas.

One unit is already leased but 3 remain available ahead of a mid-March move-in date.


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Great care was taken to preserve many large trees on the property, providing mature landscaping and shade as well as a fountain and benches in the common area.

Other features:

Unfurnished
All-electric
Modern kitchen with high-end refrigerator with ice-maker, auto-dishwasher, garbage disposal, glass-top stove, built-in large microwave, high-end cabinets; built-in water filter
1 ½ large baths, one with shower with built-in bench-seat
2 bedrooms with carpet
Living room
Dinette area
Solid oak floors in main areas
Lots of storage
Tile floors in baths & kitchen
Pass-thru between kitchen and living room/dinette area
Full-size clothes washer and dryer in closet area
Three thermostats for comfort upstairs and downstairs
Each unit has own water and electric meter
2-car carports with automatic garage door, 2 remote controls; large secure lockers
Perimeter fence on the property
Secure entrance to property
3 patios, one with bench-swing
Locked mailboxes
Locked common area entrance
Electric for carports and other common areas is included in rent
Lawn & unit maintenance included



Rental rate is $2,000 per month. Call Rebecca Schaffer at 805-431-4693 for more details and to arrange a viewing.


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I went by this the other day and I don't understand the garage thing. An open car port with an automatic door is the strangest thing I think I have seen vehicle-storage wise.


I love the cutout for the tree.

^

It provides a decent amount of security and protection for your car.

Cool concept and great design. But $2000 a month? That's hilarious.

Cool concept and great design. But $2000 a month? That's hilarious.

Actually, it's not far off what I was paying in SoSA and I didn't even have covered parking.

Cool concept and great design. But $2000 a month? That's hilarious.

Rents really do seem to be quite high everywhere in the core, especially the smaller complexes. I went to some of the places on Sundays Downtown Living Tour and was shocked at some of the rents. Like $1350 for a little over 600sf apartment. Or $1880 for a small one bath two bedroom unit.

The thing about rent is that apartments are worth exactly what people are willing to pay.

This place is so unique I bet they have more than enough takers at that price.

Rents really do seem to be quite high everywhere in the core, especially the smaller complexes. I went to some of the places on Sundays Downtown Living Tour and was shocked at some of the rents. Like $1350 for a little over 600sf apartment. Or $1880 for a small one bath two bedroom unit.

I paid $1.63/SF in a MidtownR building with no covered parking or amenities for an 800 SF studio. This rent isn't absurd for a 2 bedroom, but if I was going to pay that much I'd much rather live in an area that was a little more walkable. You're still very close to everything in Paseo / 23rd st.