Pier 57 “Incubox” Shipping Container Mall Approved by City Council

We've been following the progress of this massive <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lot-ek-proposes-pier-made-of-shipping-containers/" target="_blank">shipping container mall</a> proposed for Pier 57 for quite some time now, and this week, the project came one step closer to fruition with <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/04/09/city_council_approves_incuboxes_and_more_for_pier_57.php">the approval of the City Council</a>. Developed by <a href="http://www.iyoungwoo.com/" target="_blank">Youngwoo &amp; Associates</a> and designed by <a href="http://www.lot-ek.com/" target="_blank">LOT-EK</a>, the mall is part of a larger renovation and redevelopment project that seeks to re-enliven the area around the waterfront as a retail and tourist destination.

Starting in April, sixty <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fly-house-a-fantastic-shipping-container-bed-and-breakfast-in-mallorca/" target="_blank">shipping container shops</a> will open their doors in on the former shipping industry pier, under the unified name “Incubox”.

For the first two years of operation (basically until the entire pier makeover is complete), retailers can rent a shipping container-store for $3,000 a month, which includes electricity hook ups and open ended fronts.

After the rest of the project is finished, the rent will be bumped up to almost twice as much- at $5,500.

The entire project will take up 240,000 square feet of gorgeous waterfront amenities, including retail stores that aren’t of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/king-county-parks-and-hybrid-architecture-unveil-upcycled-shipping-container-camper/" target="_blank">shipping container</a> variety.

The developer has said that some stores may be 50,000 feet, and join a slew of restaurants, an amphitheater for the <a href="http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/" target="_blank">Tribeca Film Festival</a>, green space and an observation deck to look out to sea- or at New Jersey.

Aside from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/launchpad-shipping-container-computer-labs-let-south-african-students-communicate-with-mentors/" target="_blank">recycling shipping containers</a>, the new Pier 57 will also repurpose old airplane fuselages, which will become columns, food kiosks and performance spaces that will be spaced around an open air public market.