Chesapeake Home

MetroShip Modern Houseboat

I have been fascinated for some time now by what has become known as adaptive re-use.  In college, I thought it was the coolest thing ever to find a run-down urban warehouse and turn it into a big open apartment.  I remember a friend of mine lived in a garage and built a skateboard ramp inside his “living room.”  He left a heavy chain used to lift engines out of cars suspended from the ceiling so we could swing from the 2nd floor loft down to the first level.

Of course, I soon learned that this re-purposing of spaces is nothing new and had be de rigueur in cities like New York for decades. More recently I learned the “official” language one should use when describing such spaces–”adaptive re-use.”  I also learned that renovating existing spaces and/or re-purposing commercial spaces for residential use is eco-friendly–like recycling for buildings.  “So,” you are wondering, “what does this have to do with ‘modern house boats’?”

Well, it pertains to the next evolution of my fascination with adaptive re-use–what  might be best described as “creative use.”  For example in our February/March issue, Scott Sowers writes about how a handful of creative designers and homeowners are rethinking sheds and outbuildings and designing them as vacation getaways, band practice spaces, home offices, guest houses, and more.  I remember when writer Scott Sowers pitched me the idea.  He said, “So I have this crazy idea about doing an article on sheds, mostly because I keep seeing these really cool sheds.  I have a shed myself but it’s not this cool.” He showed me some pictures and I loved the idea. CLICK HERE for that story.

OK, you’re still wondering . . . “What about the house boats?”  It’s all related, this concept of making old spaces new by reinventing them.  House boats are probably about as old a concept as, well, houses and boats.  But I have never seen anything like this. These houseboats are super cool, modern spaces outfitted with some of the finest high-end, luxury, residential products around.

MetroShip Living/Kitchen Space

Brought to you by the designers of MetroShed pre-fab modern garden sheds, the MetroShip is 48 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 7 feet high inside (custom sizes are also available). Every boat has top-of-the-line kitchen and bathroom fittings. Brands like Gaggenau, Viking, Kohler, Sloan, and LG come standard. The large kitchen with island opens to a living area with full HD TV projector for TV, movies, gaming, internet, or e-mail. Sound is courtesy of Jamo in-wall speakers by one of the best Danish speaker manufacturers. A central “block” space contains the kitchen and a full size bathroom and divides the living area from the master bedroom. Additional bedroom ‘pods’ are available in the living area that rise from the floor. Depending on options, the price of the MetroShip is anywhere from $239,000 to $317,000.