Cargo containers are ugly, utilitarian, and have no business sitting next to a beautiful swimming pool. That is until Elbar Pool Houses fashions one into a perfect complement to any poolscape.
The Westport, Conn.-based company was founded on the frustrations of designing and building a conventional stick-constructed pool house. Co-founder Barbara Rose was determined to find an easier, more affordable way when she discovered shipping containers. A problem was solved — and a business was born.
Elbar Pool Houses offers several configurations from 160 square feet to as large as 960 square feet. Costs range from $79,000 to $175,000. The turnaround is quick: Pool houses are constructed, equipped and delivered within four weeks. They can be shipped anywhere in the world.
The big steel boxes are something of an architectural trend. Starbucks drive-thru stores are being made of them, as are apartments and condos.
“It’s mind boggling how you can transform a shipping container into a really beautiful house,” said co-founder Elliot Kanbar.
He receives inquiries from pool builders nationwide.
The people buying his pool houses are occupying homes valued at $2 million or more.
“Affluent people will use this as a guest house as well as a pool house,” he said.
