Firm News

Nothing Into Something Real Estate, Inc. (NISRE) has a creative way to address the need for affordable housing. The faith-based non-profit housing organization is breaking ground in early 2017 on Cargominiums®, an apartment complex created from 100% recycled steel shipping containers.

“These new eco-friendly apartment units will provide affordable and sustainable housing solutions for individuals and families in need. Additionally, this solution will eliminate barriers that often arise when trying to obtain subsidies for permanent housing,” said Michele Reynolds, CEO/Founder, NISRE, Inc.

The shipping containers will be used to create a 25-unit complex of two-bedroom apartments, 640 square feet each, upgraded with some of the most efficient comforts on the market. Although shipping containers have been used to build individual homes before, NISRE’s Cargominiums® are the first time they’ve been used to create an apartment complex in Ohio.

"This will be the first time cargo containers are being used in a residential setting of this scale," said Derrick Pryor, owner of AES Development of Columbus, which is serving as developer of the project. "These are beautiful units, well-done and efficient and affordable to develop."

Kegler Brown joined NISRE’s efforts in 2015 as part of a team that consists of AES Development, LLC, as well as Detroit architect Steve Flum, Columbus-based architecture firm Moody Nolan, ChelsiTech, Three Squared, The IFF, WesBanco, The Finance Fund and the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County.

NISRE’s Cargominiums® are scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2017.

About NISRE

Since its founding in 2006, NISRE, Inc. has specialized in providing affordable housing options to homeless and at-risk populations. They developed a transitional housing program commonly known as “The EXIT Program,” and have assisted more than 1,000 homeless individuals with housing and supportive services. NISRE is a licensed and certified Community Residential Center provider by the State of Ohio, with operations in Columbus, Akron, Mansfield, Cincinnati and Chillicothe. Learn more about NISRE.