Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
As the cost of lumber continues to rise and the Asheville real estate market shows no signs of cooling down, some locals are responding to these hurdles with creative solutions. Among the most trendy of these concepts is the shipping container building.
These funky structures, which are emerging more across Asheville, are made from corrugated metal shipping bins. Since these bins usually max out for shipping uses after 15 years, they're a great candidate for repurposing.
The Smoky Supper Club building stacks 19 shipping containers across 3 levels. | Photo by @smokypark
The pros of using them? They make for strong + durable building materials (they’ve been built to withstand ocean voyages, after all) and are considered to be significantly more eco-friendly than traditional construction materials — not to mention cost-effective.
The cons? Permitting + zoning logistics, along with an overall more complicated construction process, are big challenges. Plus, as shipping container buildings become more popular, the price for containers is expected to increase.
If you’re as intrigued by this concept as we are, let's admire a few notable shipping container structures around town.
This DIY-constructed house also has salvaged windows, bolts + much more. | Photo by Keli Keach courtesy of Ryan Naylor
6 Lawndale Ave.
- This 1,100 sqft, 3-bed, and 2-bath home in West Asheville, which recently sold for $350,000, is the first known shipping container home in Asheville. It developed a huge national following via builder Ryan Naylor’s website, which shared its construction story. Filmmaker Christopher Zaluski even created a 30-minute documentary, “Shipping Home: The Movie” about it, which you can watch here.
Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr.
- Smoky Park (pictured above) is known as Asheville’s first commercial structure that’s built from shipping containers. The building features 3 rows and 19 containers stacked + welded together and the design aims to evoke the industrial legacy of its River Arts District locale.
Inside is a simple floor plan with a living room, bedroom + basic kitchenette. | Screen grab from Airbnb
Oakley’s “Modern Shipping Container Home”
- This cozy but crafty Airbnb, nestled in an unspecified spot in Oakley, is built from a 40 ft shipping container and has a total floor space of 320 sq ft. According to its video tour, there’s still enough room to comfortably accommodate 3 guests. Impressive.
Use the buttons below to share this story with all the architecture + sustainability nerds in your life.
Show
- Pomdeya Sound System Showcase | Mon., July 26 | 7 p.m. | Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St. | $10+ | Check out the custom built Dem Daya Sound System + live performances from Scarien, Red Peak Sound, Lord Brunch, and more. 📻
TryThis
- Hi-Wire Brewing: Painting and Pints | Mon., July 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Co., 2 Huntsman Pl. | $37 | Grab a brew + paint your own masterpiece. 🎨
- Street Dances | Mon., July 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Visitor Center, 201 South Main St., Hendersonville | Free | Enjoy traditional Appalachian tunes from Blue Ridge Tradition + moves from Southern Connection Cloggers. 💃
Active
- Summer of Self-Love | Mon., July 26 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Smash Nutrition, 96 Weaverville Hwy., Ste. 107, Woodfin | $10 | HIIT workout, meditation, tea sampling + more. 💪
Wellness
- Free Your Voice with Lillie Lumina | Mon., July 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd. | $22+ | Use a combination of breathwork and vocal sounds to explore how to use your voice more powerfully and without fear or judgement. 🗣️
- Yoga in the Garden | Mon., July 26 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Botanical Gardens at UNC Asheville, 151 W. T. Weaver Blvd. | $5 | Bring your own mat for this beginner-friendly yoga in the gazebo and green area of the Botanical Gardens. 🧘
PlanAhead
- Expand Your Circle: Roundtable for Women Entrepreneurs | Thurs., July 29 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Focal Point, 125 S. Lexington Ave. | $25 | This roundtable-style networking event is for women making moves. Each table will have 4 women + 1 seasoned entrepreneur, everyone getting a chance to present a problem, issue, or question for collaborative brainstorming. Ⓟ
Find more of the week’s local events in our July PlanAhead.
You might be familiar with The Times Bar & Coffee Shop as an intimate, sophisticated spot for a late-night craft cocktail — but did you know they also have a sensational selection of all drinks bright + summery? Or an impressive lineup of craft coffee creations?
The Espresso Martini, shaken with fresh espresso, vodka + amarula cream liqueur, is not to be missed | Photo by the AVLtoday team
This posh, elegant locale recently upgraded its menu + expanded its daytime hours. We checked it out so you can #TryThis for yourself. 👇
What we tried (with pricing):
Thanks to The Times’ new hours, you can start drinking (coffee, booze, or mocktails) at 10 a.m. Their coffee is available until 6 p.m. + signature cocktails through 1 a.m.
We started with the specialty Cardacoco Latte ($5), a creamsicle dream of an espresso drink that involves coconut, cardamom + delicate slivers of orange zest.
The Summer Bellini is available in 4 delightful flavors: strawberry, guava, pineapple or kiwi | Photo by the AVLtoday team
We also tried the effervescent Summer Bellini (think: lemon, bubbles, slightly tart + very drinkable, $8), and the Espresso Martini ($12), which is officially all-the-rage again — for good reason. Ⓟ
This content was created in partnership with The Times Bar & Coffee Shop Ⓟ
Weather
- 82º | Scattered thunderstorms | 49% chance of rain
Civic
NowOpen
- SylvanSport, the Brevard-based trailer + camping gear manufacturer, will have a grand opening for its new factory store (21 Welcome St., Brevard) today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event coincides with the company’s 17th birthday and will be celebrated with prizes, product demos, discounts + more.
DYK
- There’s a new “multi-generational sound garden” with xylophones and other outdoor percussion instruments at Buncombe County Sports Park. The ongoing upgrades will also include turfed soccer fields with nighttime lighting, a dog park, 5 miles of greenway, improved facilities + more. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
State
- The NC Dept. of Commerce recently released a new Strategic Economic Development Plan for the state, starting with the title “First in Talent” — a play on the state’s First in Flight slogan. WRAL TechWire asked 3 economists for their thoughts on the plan. Read the full document here.
Trending
- A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina has advanced through several state senate panels. In order to reach a vote on the Senate floor, the measure still must go through 2 more committees. Got opinions? Share them with your state senators + representatives. 🌲 (WLOS)
Community
- On July 22, 1 of the WNC Nature Center’s most beloved residents passed away. Barney the coyote came to the center as an orphaned pup in April 2006, and he helped educate the public and raise awareness on area wildlife for more than a decade and a half. Rest easy, Barney. 🐺
Arts
- Asheville’s collection of talented independent filmmakers continues to grow, according to a recent feature from Mountain Xpress. Learn about what attracts directors such as Mason McDonald and Lenny Lennox to the area, and how they’d like to see the scene continue to develop. 🎥
Active
- The Cradle to Grave 10K and 30K trail race will return to Pisgah National Forest’s Cradle of Forestry on Sat., Sept. 18. The event is hosted by FIND Outdoors, a nonprofit dedicated to education + recreation on public lands, and 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting the org’s programs. Register. 👟 (Mountain Xpress)
Stat
- 80%. The percentage that filings for new business creations in North Carolina from January-June has grown this year over last. The filings, based on data from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, suggest a new era of entrepreneurship for the Tar Heel State. 👔 (Mountain Xpress)
Development
- Asheville Development Happenings Happy Hour returns this Wed., July 28 from 3:30-5 p.m. at Rabbit Rabbit (75 Coxe Ave.). The event will feature presentations from local construction, architecture, contracting, and real estate businesses.
Coronavirus
- Check out the latest COVID-19 stats for NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Friday afternoon, 18,421 cases and 327 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. See more Buncombe County-specific info here.
Jobs
Travel
- Meet Campspot, a website (and mobile app) that makes it easy to book your next camping trip. From RV parks to cabins to glamp-sites, users can find + book all in one place while enjoying Campspot’s lowest price guarantee. 🏕️Ⓟ
FeaturedDig
In spite of all these afternoon showers, the sun has still had no problem making its presence known. 🥵 We’re taking a cue from these ducks and pigs at Farmshire Sanctuary in Waynesville and headed to the freshest body of water in sight.
If you’re in need of recs for a sweet oasis, we’ve got you. Check out our lake guide and collection of 15+ swimming spots.
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Can you believe it’s the last week of July, Asheville? We surely can’t, but we are super pumped for all the rad shows, events + more that are lined up for these dog days of summer.
Oh, and be sure to stay tuned to tomorrow’s newsletter for the deets on a glorious giveaway we’re launching this week that you won’t want to miss.
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