Spark York

Spark York is a shipping container retail park built on a fairly small lot, but with large goals for helping the surrounding community. Unlike many other container parks we’ve seen, Spark York was created as a Community Interest Company, which means all profits are folded back into the project itself and the local community.

The project is located in York, sitting on land that once held a tram depot and factory but had been vacant for years. The lot is in a neglected part of the city on Piccadilly Street, and the local authorities were interested in projects that could revitalize the area with people and businesses.

At least initially, the project was planned to be a temporary installation. Thanks to the semi-permanent nature of many shipping container structures, they have the flexibility to easily remove it and relocate it, or leave it in place for decades. 

It’s an attempt to reenergize the area, and from the looks of things, it seems to be working. Made with 15 containers on two levels in a somewhat long, narrow configuration, the building is host to a number of tennants.

Approximately 24 rented units are part of the complex, with everything from food and beverage and retail, to workspaces and performance areas. It’s a project laser-focused on providing affordable rent and dynamic space for local businesses just getting off the ground.

The Spark York model encourages entrepreneurship, collaboration, and synergies along with a fun experience for the public as well. Whether grabbing a meal and drink or just engaging with the civic spaces, Spark York offers an important congregation and commerce point for this neighborhood. And hopefully, it will become more of a destination to pull in people from outside the immediate area as well.

One exciting and new addition is Grow It York, a vertical, community farm set in Spark York. It’s one of a growing number of Shipping Container Farms around the world and provides a way for Spark York restaurants to source hyper-local produce. It also serves as an example of container farming to the community, offering produce for sale and opening up for tours to local residents.