Containerised studio apartments a big hit in Johannesburg

Maboneng, is a seSotho word meaning “place of light”, a fitting name for a district that has fast become a centre of creative energy for Johannesburg’s urban artists..

This chic urban neighbourhood is the centre of creative energy with a mix of restaurants, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, retail and studio space..

The precinct draws the inner-city public as well as the chic, art-going crowd of the city’s suburbs, bringing life back to this downtown Johannesburg neighbourhood..

The area also drives Johannesburg tourism within the local and international tourist markets.. Maboneng boasts an abundantly inclusive vibe, which a must see for everyone in Joburg..

One of the main items of visual appeal in Maboneng is Drivelines Studios, the latest in a growing trend of modular homes constructed using repurposed shipping containers..

This development by Driveline Studios marks a first, as a multistorey apartment block made up of multiple containers selling for prices from as low as ZAR120,000/- (approximately USD8600/-) or ZAR4900/per month as rent..

The project which was launched in 2014 by Propertuity and designed by Lot-Ek Architects opened its doors in 2017 and is a mixed-use residential and retail building..

This V shaped property entirely made of upcycled ISO containers has a triangular open yard with swimming pool and sundeck..

All residential units are studio apartments varying in size between 40 and 60 square meters and include a private outdoor space along the walkways that look into the yard on all floors..

With a mix of restaurants, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and retail and studio space, and now this development, the Maboneng precinct draws the inner-city public as well as the chic, art-going crowd of the city’s suburbs, bringing life back to this downtown Johannesburg neighbourhood..

Here are some images of this development..

This however is not the first container housing development featured on this site.. In 2014, another such project was posted here.. You can read it here..