Spring Cleaning in Minneapolis

This workhorse of a 40’ high cube is ready to be yours

We’re doing a little spring cleaning here in Minneapolis. This blue 40’ high cube found its way back to us after a stint as a construction project container and is looking for a new home. It got a bit of wear and tear but we have spiffed it back up again. It is now ready to go back out to work for someone else. Check out the inside as it is not the prettiest inside, but not the worst either. Overall it is a sturdy box with a ton of life left in it. Call us at 877-374-5452 for pricing and delivery rates.

Call us at 877-374-5452 or 952-283-2783 today

Double-decker Containers Add Extra Warehouse Space

A 16’ overhead door opens to reveal 4 containers

One of the joys of visiting customers is to see what they have done with their containers! I stopped in to see a recent customer who added 8 of our 40’ containers onto his warehouse. Here are some pictures of the great way he maximized his warehouse with our containers!

The company moved into a new space that had a great combination of office and warehouse space. There was plenty of land around the warehouse as well. However, the original building just didn’t have enough storage space for them. Each department needed room for extra materials and supplies.

Enter the genius of Gary, the owner. He solved their storage problems without needing to build or add to their heating bill. He set up two sets of 4 containers each butting up to the warehouse. The containers are set two across and two high. They created a small deck and railing for the upper level. Movable stairs were installed to access the upper level. He also installed a 16’ overhead door for each set of containers. Being in the Midwest where it gets VERY cold in the winter, we could feel the rush of cold air when the doors opened coming in from the container. Up until then, it had been rather cozy in there.

The space is split up by department. They assigned each pair (up and down) of containers to different departments. For one department that had equipment that had a tendency to grow legs, they put in a partition with a lockable door.

Their set-up now gives them over 2500 square feet more than what they had before the containers were set up. Gary, the owner, was thrilled with the flexible arrangement and the cost was far less than physically adding onto the warehouse! He even put a roof over the area between the two sets of containers for a spot to store their ladders and other tall materials out of the weather.

Outside of the warehouse, they also have additional containers. They have two 40’ containers set end to end with one another. They cut out one of the 40’ sides to each and installed the pallet racking and tarps, which fold down to protect against snow.

Containers are so flexible and can offer up a perfect building block to so many different ideas. We love seeing those ideas come to life with our containers.

Upcycling Shipping Containers – 16 Ways to Transform ISO Containers

St. Charles container house made out of Super Cubes containers

Are you ready to be different than everyone else? Are you wanting to build something out of a box? If you are saying yes to both questions, shipping containers may be a route for you! ISO containers are a great way to build a unique structure that can be within reach of the average person.

Shipping containers were designed for storing and transporting goods. However, there are so many different ways to upcycle steel containers into a wide variety of new structures.

So, what can you REALLY build with a shipping container? The short answer is really - anything! - even if shipping containers are commonly used by business and home owners. Containers provide a scalable building block to create extra storage, retail space, restaurants, homes and so much more. Here is a general list along with images of how containers have been and are continuing to be utilized:  

• Storage and Sheds. Sure it is the most basic use, but containers are great at storing things.

• Cabins, guesthouse, tiny homes and vacation/main houses. The hottest trend in the past few years in containers is container architecture.

• Offices and building extensions. Containers can add in extra space for people too. Containers can fitted out with insulation, electricity and desks easily.

• Fire training stations. Containers can be burned again and again! As long as you replace that wood floor with something that doesn’t burn. We have all sorts of ideas on how to change the space to keep your team on their toes.

• Saunas, pools and pool houses. Who doesn’t want one of these?!

One of a kind sauna

Outdoor container pool

• Food trucks, restaurants and bars. Containers make everything more fun!

• Portable toilets. Ground-level entry that can be moved to wherever you need them. And everyone will be happy they’re not a port-a-potty.

• Retail shops and malls. Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas is a perfect example of how to take a great, creative idea and make it a reality.

Food trucks take over Toronto

Las Vegas, here we come!

Super Cubes container attracts people to Victoria Burrow bar

Cinquecento restaurant’s outdoor bar in Boston

• Theaters. Detroit Globe Theater (A Super Cubes customer) is a fantastic example of taking something old - Shakespeare’s Globe Theater - and putting a fresh twist on it. The classic feel of live theater in the round with the ability to transport the theater as needed.

CGI renderings of what the theater will look like

Starbucks Coffee in Salt Lake City

• Bistros and coffee shops. Starbucks has been running with this idea for a few years, but there are so many more takes on getting caffeine to those in need.

• Studios, art gallery and workshops. Maroon Arts Group in Columbus, OH has turned containers into an art gallery, a stage and a restaurant called the MPACC Box Park.

• Gymnasiums and sport centers. It’s pretty neat to say you can get your energy out while being active in a shipping container, Dunraven’s Sports Hall in Streathan, London.

• Hotels. Super Cubes customer Alchemy Architects built a 20’ stand-along, off-the-grid hotel room.

Super Cubes hotel stay - Mobile hotel made out of OUR 20’ shipping container

• Student housing facilities and schools. The most classic example of this is TempoHousing in Amsterdam.

• Emergency hospitals/disaster shelters. Containers can be moved around quickly and easily, making them a choice for quick response. The real hold-up here has been finding the way to create government-approved solutions that can be made where they are needed and at the right price point.

• Nurseries and indoor gardens. This is such a great, sustainable way for locally grown food just about anywhere. Check out how they do it in Antarctica, Las Vegas and just about anywhere you can set down a container.

To find the right container for you, just contact us directly at 877-374-5452. We’d be happy to help make your vision a reality!