Incredible Shipping Container Homes & Offices in Toronto (2024)

While most shipping containers are used for transporting things from one place to another, homeowners are looking for alternative housing solutions that are modular, durable, easily transportable, and stylish. It is important to remember that if you are interested in having your own container home or container office, it is critical to check the bylaws and permits in your location. We are excited to share the best shipping container houses in Toronto with you as well as the largest storage container market in Canada.

Vist Stackt Market In Toronto

Incredible Shipping Container Homes & Offices in Toronto (1)

Photo courtesy of Industryous Photography

Stackt Market creates a contemporary public space with inspirational vibrant energy and shipping container art. With over 100 custom build shipping containers, Stackt Market is Canada’s largest shipping container market. Stack is open year-round and has both indoor and outdoor areas. This family-friendly and pet-friendly marketplace is easily accessible and has on-site parking. The marketplace is designed entirely out of shipping containers and has an ever-changing selection of pop-up shops, restaurants, and events. To learn more, you can visit their website.

The Toronto Shipping Container House

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Photo Courtesy of Container Home Hub

This one-of-a-kind shipping container home is an excellent addition to the neighbourhood with its slim and elegant style. It is the first stand-alone permanent shipping container house located in the heart of downtown Toronto’s west-end. This unique shipping container home consists of three 53’ High Cube shipping containers and includes a full master bedroom, living room, kitchen, and basem*nt. The house is designed for the wide range of weather conditions in Toronto and has lots of natural lighting with its large windows and balcony.

The Hamilton Shipping Container House

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Photo courtesy of Discovery Containers

Toronto architect Jason Halter designed this unique single-family shipping container home, often known as Redhouse. It is the first permanent shipping container home located in Hamilton, Ontario. The modified shipping containers arrived on-site and were installed in a single day. This amazing single-family house was built using eight 40’ high cube shipping containers to include four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, balcony, and basem*nt.

Harlem Underground Shipping Container House Extension

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Photo courtesy of Storsac

This incredible home is often known as Black Star or The Harlem Underground Shipping Container House. The home is a permanent hybrid structure with three used shipping containers forming on half of the house, while the other half was built using traditional methods. This unique three 20’ high cube shipping container home was built above the Harlem Underground Restaurant located in downtown Toronto’s west queen, west district. The Black Star’s design and aesthetics perfectly fit Toronto’s iconic graffiti alley, which is very near to the home.

How Else Could You Use A Shipping Container?

Storage containers are most common in the construction, shipping, retail, farming, and moving industries. They are most often used to move goods from one location to another. However, there are many different uses for shipping containers. Here are some popular ways you could use and customize a shipping container:

Shipping Container Office

A shipping container office is a great way to have a mobile office that can be moved anywhere you need it. In addition, many people find that shipping containers create private and quiet workspaces while working from home.

Shipping Container Pop-Up Shop

A shipping container pop-up shop is a great way to get your business off the ground. It is an easy and affordable way to set up a shop, and since the containers are portable, you can move your store wherever you need them. In addition, shipping containers are easily customizable to meet your business needs.

Shipping Container Garage

A shipping container garage is an excellent place for storing your vehicle, boat, car, and equipment. They are much cheaper than building traditional garages, and since they are portable, you can move or store them wherever you need.

Shipping Container Shed

A shipping container shed is a great way for you to store your tools, seasonal items, and clutter that is taking up your home or business. Containers are safe and secure solutions that can withstand harsh weather conditions due to their durability and design.

Shipping Container Home

A shipping container home is a fantastic alternative if you want something that is highly customizable and easy to transport. Shipping container homes are becoming more and more popular worldwide. Many people use their container homes for guest accommodations or Airbnb instead of utilizing them themselves.

Shipping Container Planning Permissions

If you are interested in a shipping container home, you have two main building options. Firstly, you could choose to buy a container that already has been modified and is pretty much instantly ready to start moving in or living in. These are called prefab container homes and are most common if you want to buy a tiny container home, shed, or office. Your second option is to buy a shipping container and then have modifications done separately. This building approach is ideal if you have specific needs and designs that are not available in typical prefab container homes.

It is crucial to check building permits, bylaws, and planning permissions before storing a shipping container on your property or converting one into a living space. Rules and bylaws will vary depending on where you live and the intended use of the shipping container.

Conclusion

As you can see, storage containers can be used for much more than moving goods from one place to another. We hope you enjoyed learning more about Stackt Market as well as discovering the top shipping container homes in Toronto, Canada. There are endless possibilities when it comes to modifications for your shipping container.

Whether you are looking for a window to be added or you are interested in adding shelves and wall dividers, here at Coast Containers, we are happy to help guide you through choosing the correct container size, type and modifications to best suit their specific personal and business needs. To start your shipping container home or office journey, simply select one of our locations and get a quote.

Not sure if you are ready to buy a container yet? Our partner company, Make Space Storage, offers various shipping container rental services and storage solutions, including self-storage, parking, portable storage rentals, and moving services across Canada.

Incredible Shipping Container Homes & Offices in Toronto (2024)

FAQs

Are shipping container homes legal in Toronto? ›

In Ontario, container homes are not explicitly illegal. However, they are subject to numerous regulations and codes. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is particularly important as it sets the standards for building construction, including container homes. Local zoning by-laws also play a crucial role.

How much does it cost to build a shipping container home in Ontario? ›

An empty shipping container can be purchased for around $5,000, but the cost of an actual functioning container home can be anywhere from $25,000 to $500,000—much of this is tied into furnishing and the value of the land.

Do I need a permit to put a shipping container on my property in Ontario? ›

The Ontario Building Code recognizes shipping containers, which range in area from 160 to 320 square feet, as structures when used on land. The construction or placement of any structure over 10 square meters, (108 square feet) requires a Building Permit.

Can you use a shipping container as an addition to a house? ›

Shipping containers can act as the homes themselves, or they can function as additions to existing homes. Instead of building an entirely new addition to your home, you can knock down a wall, combine it with a container, and have half the job done immediately!

Can you get a mortgage for a container home Canada? ›

If you're buying a container home that's already fully built and is just being shipped to your land, you may be able to get a regular uninsured mortgage. This means you'll need to put down at least 20%, as CMHC typically won't insure a dwelling like this.

How much does it cost to convert a shipping container? ›

Generally, materials and labor costs will run $10,000 to $50,000, but expenses can go as high as $100,000 or more for larger builds. The basic costs include the containers' purchase price and the materials needed for modifications.

What is the disadvantage of container houses? ›

The Cons of Living in a Shipping Container Home
  • Appliances Don't Always Fit. ...
  • Building Permits Can Be Difficult to Get. ...
  • Contractors Are Hard to Come By. ...
  • Issues With Insulation. ...
  • Need to Consider the Climate. ...
  • Safety Concerns for Used Containers. ...
  • Shape & Size Limitations. ...
  • Reinforcing Sometimes Needed.
Aug 22, 2022

What is the life expectancy of a container home? ›

Because they were built to safely transport goods over long distances and often-harsh conditions, shipping containers are extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for homes. With proper care and maintenance, these homes can last decades - an average lifespan of 25-30 years.

Is it cheaper to build a house or a container home? ›

Lower Cost to Build

Building a shipping container home is cheaper based on a few factors. Obviously, they're built on a much smaller scale and you'll need less materials to complete the interior, so the materials and labour involved will cost less.

Do you need a foundation for a shipping container? ›

Container homes can very well be dropped on level ground that's not raised, but a foundation of some sort is highly recommended. Building a foundation for your container home is the best way to keep unwanted pests and elements out. Container home foundation options we recommend: Concrete slab foundations.

Does a shipping container need to be on a slab? ›

You can place the container on bare earth but check it every month or so. If the container appears to be sinking or tilting, you should consider moving the container to a gravel pad. Preparing a simple, three-inch deep gravel pad will facilitate drainage under the container and level out irregularities in the ground.

Can I put a tiny home on my land in Ontario? ›

Despite their size or uniqueness, tiny homes are required to meet Ontario's Building Code. The Building Code contains requirements for tiny homes built on-site, and those that are factory-built (on a chassis or not) and shipped to the site. You will need a building permit or permits for both situations.

How practical are shipping container homes? ›

Shipping container homes are durable but may lack the longevity that traditional houses have. A custom container home can last 25–30 years with proper maintenance, but a standard home generally lasts much longer than that, especially considering homes are passed down generations and still stand the test of time.

How safe are shipping container homes? ›

Shipping Container Homes Can Be Just as Safe as Regular Homes. Shipping container homes can be equally safe as traditional homes when proper construction and safety measures are implemented. Despite concerns about toxic chemicals and harmful paint coatings, there are ways to address these issues.

Can you stack shipping container homes? ›

Multi-unit structures are often secured to the pre-poured foundation with modified twist locks to add stability. Ultimately, the top container needs to be placed on twist locks to secure it to the container below. These locks ensure that the stacked containers remain secure, immovable, and safe.

Are floating homes legal in Ontario? ›

June 23, 2023 – Ontario has banned overnight stays of floating accommodations on Ontario's waterways, effective July 1, 2023. Read the Ontario media release: “Protecting Provincial Waterways.”

Can I build a guest house on my property in Ontario? ›

Yes, you can, but you must meet the proper qualifications. Furthermore, there are building permits to acquire and Building Code requirements you must follow.

How much does it cost to ship a container to Canada? ›

How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container to Canada, the average price to ship a 20ft container to Canada is from $880 to $2850. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container to Canada ranges depending on the route.

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