A company called Iron Star Capital, which converts old shipping containers into affordable housing, can offer a home with one bedroom, a bathroom, and a small kitchen for just €16,000. The building time is 30 days and the property includes furniture.
The company's founders, Alex Sandor Farkas and Cecilia Quiroga, say: "We want to build social housing. We already have the plan, but we need the land, whether rented, bought, or leased. We are open to all possibilities."
They have contacted all of the 67 municipalities in the Balearics, offering the possibility of building affordable housing immediately. "But none have responded, except for Palma, although we haven't heard anything more."
There are projects nevertheless and no shortage of clients. In Santa Catalina (Palma), there is a project on a tiny 35-square-metre plot - "two containers per floor, for a three-story building". In Sa Pobla, they are developing a chalet with shipping containers. This will have 240 square metres. Also in Sa Pobla is a scheme of nine homes using 54 containers. They add that some hoteliers have been in contact with them about developing housing for their employees.
A showcase of the possibilities offered by containers is on a plot in the Son Morro industrial estate in Palma. Fourteen containers will be able to accommodate 28 people. The focus here is on students.
The containers are built with a heat shield. "With this you can eliminate the heat build-up. They go from 38 degrees inside to just 25 degrees." Interiors don't give the impression of being in a metal box, and large windows bring in light. Entrances have small terraces with recycled Mallorcan shutters. The size of the containers is irrelevant, as they can be stacked or placed side by side. Two containers can create a 60-square-metre home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen.
Quiroga stresses that the current projects have municipal licences and completion permits and that they can be mortgaged. She is confident that the company will be able to expand across Mallorca, "which needs a lot of affordable housing".
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There are lots of brokers that will sell you a decent container for as little as 1500€ for 6m to about 4000€ for a 12m.
How do i get onto a waiting list for one of these?
TCWhat is YOUR good idea, as this is not a good one? I agree it's not good idea but better than nothing. Complaining is easy, making anything decent is a lot more complicated with government after government does nothing about solving the housing crisis.
Justin FlationSure but talk won't help. If it's rediculous, no one will buy. Do note it comes with furniture. It's not a good solution, but better than nothing.
TCPlease read the FULL article before you comment. It's insulated against the heat, and does have a window. Until the local government take actions and not just TALK, this is better than nothing. As you have land, you can sit tight and no blit on your space.. Maybe YOU make an effort to get the proper buildings on the go. This is NOT holiday accommodation. Until the housing situation is solved many already live worse than in a third world country.
Zoltan TeglasGood luck to them. They are buying cheap containers and promting them as living accomodation. Would you book one for a three week holiday in August ? My experience is they are freezing in the winter and an oven in the summer. A- its not a solution for the housing crisis ( or workers would be living in them all over Europe. B- who wants a park of them near their home. C- The health and saftey for tempreture and hygiene , gas fires, etc doesnt really make them appealing. I have campo land and no way i would want one or be allowed to have one on the property. Its a thirld world solution.
Absolutely ridiculous at €16k. You can already buy luxury prefabricated homes for €15-25k There’s of course even cheaper options, but you get what you pay for…
TCThe containers are built with a heat shield. "With this you can eliminate the heat build-up. They go from 38 degrees inside to just 25 degrees."
I am astounded people think this is a good idea. Firstly, have you ever been near one ? Do you know how hot they get ? People will die during the summer season. Secondly, where will they get permission to locate. If you can't park a mobile home, what chance of a steel container on land. Thirdly, it just disguises a problem that quite frankly, is a third world solution.
Well, we are moving on up, to a deluxe apartment in the sky... Most here, wont get that reference.