In Salt Lake City, a man had an idea. What if he took a part of town that had seemingly died off and reinvented it through the use of overly abundant street space and old, used shipping containers? Well he did exactly that, and a village was born.

Two Lanes of Traffic Versus Six

If you’re talking about a freeway or expressway, sure, six lanes of traffic is nice. But when you’re talking about a dead city’s streets, there’s simply no need for that much space for cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. What would happen if you were to take the center portion of that overly wide street space and turn it into a type of outdoor food court, concert stage, retail strip village? With 16 used shipping containers, food vendor trucks, tables and chairs, and a lot of people pitching in – Granary Row became, literally, a pop-up neighborhood with traffic going by on either side. Who set up shop in these makeshift rental buildings? In the very first year alone, a humane society, art gallery, bike shop and clothing stores called this quaint little village home.

Speaking of Calling A Shipping Container “Home”

Homes, that is residential units made from old shipping containers, were also showcased at this formerly wasted industrial area. The insides of both shops and homes were of course wired, floored, walled and finishing touches applied such as glass facades, doors and windows. Though this project lasts for six months and is only temporary, it will be up and running again the following year for another six months. The hope is that it can eventually grow into something on a more permanent level.

You really have to see this to believe it so click here for the YouTube version of this phenomenal if not artistic venture in alternative housing and retail buildings that make up a pop-up neighborhood.