Kansas City, MO: An undeveloped lot will soon breathe new life as Kansas City’s first multifamily housing project using recycled shipping containers. The project brings an affordable, modern, and eco-friendly housing option to the Midtown urban core.
Rosemann is partnering with Syndicate Real Estate Development to provide professional architectural design and structural services, while working directly with the city and council members and surrounding neighbors to secure approval and permitting for this innovative building approach, the first of its kind in Kansas City. The use of the reclaimed containers is intentional to preserve materials that would otherwise be deposited on the bottom of the ocean. Additionally, the simplicity and size of the containers, paired with the low cost and industrial strength is well suited as a durable base for modular multifamily units.
The new community is being developed as an affordable living option without the use of city, state or federal incentives. Monthly rents for the 320 SF, 48-unit micro apartments are estimated at $675 – $775. Units are fitted with a tiny living design concept including floor-to-ceiling windows, custom cabinetry, space maker appliances, in-unit laundry, full bathroom, storage, and central air and heating. First floor studio apartments include a patio, while upper floors have decks. An impressive limestone retaining wall is planned to stabilize the steep site slope, which will be built from reclaimed, excavated rock from the site. The retaining wall provides for a beautiful view from the west side of the site. The area also contains a dog park/open space with a partially enclosed gathering room – made from a container.
Aesthetically, the exterior utilizes accent colors to establish a rhythm on the site. The walls will be framed from the inside and insulated with closed cell spray foam to meet fire rating and code. The interior will bring a modern design approach and open floorplan concept to maximize the 320 SF space. The goal is to use as much of the shipping container as possible; thus, when sections need to be removed during construction, those containers have been used on the exterior portion of the building and on other parts of the project. Existing wood container floors have been retained and encapsulated with epoxy.
“It is refreshing to work with a group whose purpose is to provide affordable housing utilizing outside of the box concepts like repurposed shipping containers that would otherwise be discarded at the bottom of the ocean. This approach may be a catalyst to incite further development in the area,” said Rosemann Project Manager Michael Gaillard.
Joining Syndicate Real Estate Development and Roseman is Latimer, Sommers & Associates, P.A. (LSA) providing MEP and McClure is the civil engineer.
30th & Summit is slated for completion at the end of this year.
