A photo posted by Containers On Grand (@40x8x8) on Oct 6, 2015 at 11:43am PDT

PHOENIX, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- An Arizona housing developer is thinking inside the box to present an apartment complex with a twist.

The city of Phoenix and contractor StarkJames collaborated to create The Containers on Grand, a sustainable apartment complex made entirely out of shipping containers.


The complex is the first of its kind on the United States' West Coast and features eight 740 square foot units and will rent for $1,000 a month, with one serving as an Airbnb.

While the idea is not wholly original, Brian Stark of Stark James was excited by the prospect of bringing it to Phoenix.

"If you go to architecture school, this is one of those projects that you do. You never think that you actually will build it," he told KPHO Phoenix.

Each unit is made of two shipping containers that feature insulated steel walls, reducing the noise that travels between the tightly stacked apartments.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton expressed his pleasure with the new development.

"This project is special in so many ways," he told The Arizona Republic. "This project has a wonderful feel to it and I know that its going to be ... hugely successful."

According to the StarkJames website the properties will be available for rent in 2015, however there is already a waiting list.