The AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village is a waterfront marketplace located along the Saint John River in uptown Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It was created by local non-profit AREA 506,[1] and constructed from shipping containers located in what was once a parking lot. The market includes vendors with shops created inside the containers themselves or in food trucks. The wide variety of onsite vendors range from retail and gift stores to snacks and coffee.
 | |
| Location | Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°16′11″N 66°03′45″W / 45.2696692°N 66.062475°W |
| Address | 85 Water Street |
| Opening date | June 8, 2022 |
| Owner | Area 506 |
| Number of tenants | c. 40 |
| Website | area506 |
Founded by Ray Gracewood, the Waterfront Container Village first opened on June 8, 2022,[2] and the seasonal market operates annually from May to November.
Description
editThe AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village is a waterfront experience constructed from over 60 shipping containers.[3][4] Built on a converted parking lot on the waterfront of Saint John, New Brunswick[5] the Village features over two dozen vendors that operate out of either the shipping containers or food trucks,[2] from retail and gift[6] shops to snacks and coffee. The s feet as of its opening year,[7] are also decorated by the work of multiple local and international artists, including "Graffiti Alley",[8][7] one of the most photographed spaces in the province.
The marketplace is operated annually from May to November.[4]
History
editOn July 30, 2021, during the first AREA 506 Waterfront Concert Series, the announcement was made that proposed creation of the Container Village.[9] In early 2022, work was already underway to repurpose shipping containers and what was once a waterfront parking lot and create a destination for tourists and local residents.[5] In early May, containers started arriving to the site, and on June 8, 2022, the gates to the Waterfront Container Village opened for the first time,[2] initially containing 54 shipping containers with 27 vendors, along with a three-level Viewing Deck and a stage for concerts.[10] The marketplace's opening coincided with the docking of the Oasis of the Seas in Saint John - at the time, the city's largest cruise arrival.[2]
In 2023, its second year of operation, the Container Village again opened ahead of the May long weekend with around a dozen new vendors,[11] bringing the total to almost 40.[12] Other site and infrastructure improvements also having been made.[11]
On May 16, 2024, the gates opened for its third season. With over a dozen new art installations by local and international artists, a newly reimagined Container Lounge at The Docks and nine new vendors, the colourful Waterfront Container Village
See also
edit- Dordoy Bazaar, a marketplace in Kyrgyzstan which also use shipping containers
- Re:START, a temporary mall in New Zealand also made using shipping containers
- Shipping container architecture
References
edit- ^ "Shipping container village : Canadian Port City gets creative with revitalization". India Shipping News. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d Brad, Perry (8 June 2022). "Waterfront Container Village In Saint John Officially Opens". Huddle.Today. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Container Village". AREA 506. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Area 506 Waterfront Container Village". www.discoversaintjohn.com. Discover Saint John. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ a b Urquhart, Mia (April 26, 2022). "Waterfront parking lot to transform into container village for concerts, cruise passengers". CBC. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village". tourismnewbrunswick.ca. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ a b Lothian, Robert (June 8, 2022). "Container village in Saint John opens gates to the public - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Abramson, Ben (5 June 2023). "Shipping Container Village: Canadian Port City Gets Creative With Revitalization". Strong Towns. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Smith, Simon R. (August 5, 2021). "Waterfront container village coming to Saint John". Atlantic Business Magazine. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Moore, Nick (8 June 2022). "'A very creative and clever idea': Saint John's new shipping container village charms visitors". Atlantic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b Perry, Brad (May 18, 2023). "Waterfront container village opens Friday". Country 94. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ MacRae, Avery (2 June 2023). "Area 506 Waterfront Container Village enjoying strong start to season". CTV Atlantic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.