Shipping Containers Turned Into Eateries, Hotels and Art Galleries

Repurposed shipping containers are being used to construct industrial-chic food halls, coffee shops, beer gardens, and even art galleries. Celebrated for their eco-friendliness and decidedly fun urban vibe, here are 10 of the coolest recycled shipping container structures.

By: Erin Gifford

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Caffé Umbria

In Chicago’s Logan Square, artisan coffee roaster Caffé Umbria incorporated coffee shipping containers into its modern design as a way to welcome guests into the open floor plan "coffee experience," which includes a café, coffee lab and roastery. Bold colors, like crimson and dandelion yellow, complement the bold and flavorful espresso and coffee drinks served up daily.

Red Fish Blue Fish

The colorful Red Fish Blue Fish in Pensacola, Florida manifests sustainability both inside and outside the restaurant. The eatery was built from shipping containers, which were thoughtfully painted in playful shades of red and blue. Solar panels and a walkway made from reclaimed wood further the owners’ passion for environmental stewardship. The seafood on the menu is sustainable too thanks to like-minded partners along the coast.

Crackheads

Crackheads, an all-day fast-casual breakfast concept, with a full bar, of course, opened up over the summer inside a food hall in Carlsbad, California. The delightful eatery was built into a shipping container and sits next to a juice bar, Choice Juicery, which is also in an industrial, yet cheerful repurposed shipping container. Both are kid-friendly and dog-friendly thanks to cornhole, picnic tables and turf-style grass.

Tiny Urban Escapes

Indianapolis recently welcomed Tiny Urban Escapes, a new lodging concept made up of five semi-glass cabins made from recycled shipping containers. Minutes from downtown, the cabins are tucked away in a lush wooded area, offering peace and serenity, but also all the amenities of a boutique hotel, like high thread-count linens, luxury bath products and keyless room access. Two bicycles come with each cabin, just right for cycling along nearby biking trails.

MerSea

On San Francisco’s Treasure Island, MerSea is the newest eco-conscious restaurant on the scene to be built entirely from recycled shipping containers. The stylish, industrial-chic space houses an indoor bar and dining area, a kitchen and a private dining room. There are a putting green and bocce court adjacent to the outdoor dining area that boasts dramatic views of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Eddy

The Eddy is a fun outdoor beer garden in downtown Reno, Nevada made entirely from recycled shipping containers. The seating areas and food counters are even made from shipping containers, creating a modern gathering space with a fun industrial vibe, right in the heart of the city. Enjoy live music, get in a few rounds of cornhole, or engage in a friendly crusade to get four-in-a-row on a giant Connect Four game.

Detroit Shipping Company

The Motor City welcomed a brand-new food hall over the summer called Detroit Shipping Company. More than 20 stacked shipping containers make up this modern two-story structure, which houses two full bars, a coffee shop, an ice cream stand, and five fast-casual eateries, including MotorBurger and Brujo Tacos & Tapas. Detroit Shipping Company is also home to an on-demand screen printing shop and a podcast studio.

Arts Alley

In Hapeville, Georgia, repurposed shipping containers are used to create a different kind of space, a delightful collection of art galleries in a section of town called Arts Alley, a project of the Hapeville Arts Alliance. The colorful galleries are connected by a meandering brick walkway, which makes for an easy stroll during art gallery crawls that take place throughout the year.

SteelCraft

SteelCraft is a fun outdoor food hall made from stylishly repurposed shipping containers located in Long Beach, California. You’ll find four local, window-style eateries, including Pig Pen Delicacy and Desano Pizza, as well as sleek stalls for artisan coffee, craft brews, shave ice, and waffle treats. Two more urban-style SteelCraft shipping container eatery outposts are in the works for nearby Garden Grove and Bellflower.

Odette Estate

At Odette Estate Winery in California’s Napa Valley, the winemaker’s office and lab, as well as the employee break room and restrooms, were all stylishly constructed from recyclable shipping containers. The container spaces are eco-friendly too thanks to high exposed ceilings, recycled plywood flooring and elegant LED light fixtures.

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Shipping Containers Turned Into Eateries, Hotels and Art Galleries

Related To:

Shop This Look

Caffé Umbria

Red Fish Blue Fish

Crackheads

Tiny Urban Escapes

MerSea

The Eddy

Detroit Shipping Company

Arts Alley

SteelCraft

Odette Estate

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