Wilmington's Cargo District is a unique urban development that repurposes shipping containers to create affordable commercial and residential spaces. Located in Wilmington, N.C., this district has become a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Origin and Vision
The project was spearheaded by developer Leslie Smith of LS Smith Inc. In 2010, he acquired a commercial space at 1607 Queen St. in a neglected industrial area, which served as his residence and office. He then purchased the building next door, made of shipping containers, sparking the inspiration for an entire district built from upcycled materials. The district was officially branded in 2017 as an incubation hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Residential Development
In 2018, Smith created the first container-based, two-storey residential buildings using 18 containers, each 20 feet long, sourced from local ports. Currently, there are nine 600-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments. Plans are in place to add 50 to 70 one- and two-bedroom apartments in the future, utilizing 200 repurposed shipping containers.
Commercial Growth
In 2025, the three-storey Cargo West Food Court opened, providing space for 11 to 14 tenants, including restaurants, roasteries, coffee houses, micro-kitchens, a brewery, and a distillery. Today, the Cargo District is an eclectic cluster of 85 shops spread across four blocks, between 15th and 17th streets, bordered by Castle and Queen streets. Future plans include expanding to nine blocks.
Visitor Experience
Visitors arriving around 11 a.m. on a Saturday find a quiet atmosphere that soon buzzes with activity by noon. The outdoor areas are pedestrian-friendly, filled with young people and families. The industrial containers are adorned with colorful murals and signage, creating a playful sense of place. While there are a few shops, the district primarily functions as an outdoor food hall. One popular spot is CheeseSmith, which started as a food truck in 2018 and moved to a shipping container in 2020, offering delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.
Potential for Other Cities
The Cargo District model could be applied in other cities, such as Calgary, to create low-cost commercial and residential spaces on vacant land. For example, a surface parking lot at 11th Street and 7th Avenue S.W. near the Downtown West-Kerby LRT station could be ideal for an enclave of cargo homes.
