SG Blocks to build container based mid-rise buildings with apartments and retail

SG Blocks, Inc., a developer and producer of innovative construction solutions utilizing code-engineered cargo shipping containers, has executed a contract with developers Christopher Geiger and Scott Smith for the first re-purposed shipping container mid-rise building to be built in Central NY. The ground floor, anchored by covered parking, will contain commercial space with 36 one-bedroom apartments on the upper four floors. The five-story building will total 35,840 s/f. SG Blocks will provide engineering services, logistics and 115 modified containers to be erected and finished out on site by a local contractor. "We believe this modern and expansive use of re-purposed shipping containers as the core and shell for a mid-rise application will mark a pivotal moment in the construction industry. This is a significant deployment of our product as a mainstream building material which we're confident will bring widespread attention to the multitude of benefits our heavy gauge steel building system offers," said Paul Galvin, CEO of SG Blocks. The city of Syracuse planning board approved the property at 712 East Fayette St. on November 18th. "The value proposition of flexibility plus time and cost savings combined with benefits of sustainability was what really sold us on the SG Blocks Building System," said Smith. "Our superstructure will be fully erected in about ten days, saving on labor and reducing debt service expense." The units, in an upward transitioning area of Syracuse, will be marketed to young professionals and graduate students in the University Hill and downtown Syracuse area. "An added benefit for our neighbors will be significantly minimized disruption versus traditional new builds, something the community has expressed widespread enthusiasm about. We intend to have this be our first of many SG Blocks built mid-rises. This is the beginning of a construction paradigm change and we know the model is a winner," said Geiger.