Are steel structures allowed for new residential?

[peestandingup]

I had a thought of buying a plot of land & building something. My parents own a couple prefab steel structures they had built some years ago that they never really ended up utilizing, so they were thinking of selling them (they paid a lot of money for them). However, they would be willing to give one to me if I wanted.

They are industrial-looking in nature & a lot of people use them for retail space, barns, etc. But I do know that some people make these into residential homes. Actually the company that made these specific ones do residential dwellings as well.

I thought about having a crew disassembling one of these, transporting it down here (its in another state) & re-erecting it somewhere, perhaps making a livable industrial-styled space out of it. Would this even be allowed someplace like Springfield? It might look out of place in some of the quadrants, but I thought it may go well with the upper-east industrial warehouse quadrant.

P.S. Here is a Google Maps screenshot of a couple of them. Right now they're just basic skeletons (steel frame with metal sheeting), but you could pretty much do whatever you wanted to with them & add things just like any other structure.

[urbanlibertarian]

If the cost is about the same why not buy and rehab an existing building in the Springfield warehouse district?  That might be easier than finding a lot where a steel building would fit in with its surroundings and be somewhere you would want to live.

[peestandingup]

If the cost is about the same why not buy and rehab an existing building in the Springfield warehouse district?  That might be easier than finding a lot where a steel building would fit in with its surroundings and be somewhere you would want to live.

I thought of that, but these are:

A. Somewhat new & in great sound condition
B. Still have a warranty on the materials from the manufacturer (which means a lot)
C. I know where they've been & the company that made them is considered tops in steel buildings
D. They're free. Which like I said, my folks paid a pretty penny for all you see here.

If it wasn't for that & if I had the means to do it, I'd be all about finding a smaller industrial historic building to make into a home though. I think it'd be cool as hell.

[nvrenuf]

As you said you'd probably have to find a lot in the upper NE quadrant that is considered non-contributing.

[uptowngirl]

I agree with Nvr, it would have to be a non-contributing  lot. This is a histroic district.

[stjr]

You may find this project more trouble than it's worth.  You will need the engineering on these buildings to have them permitted here.  Having built steel buildings in Jax, expect a pretty high bar for wind loads to meet the hurricane standards.  Typically, heavier columns, footer, and door frames and more steel supports and bracing.  That alone could kill this project.  I suggest you have a local engineer here review your structural blueprints and see if this is feasible.

When you add the cost to deconstruct the buildings, ship them here, do the site work, slab, reconstruct them, add insulation, utilities, interior finishes, etc., not to mention deal with the above engineering, you may decide the savings are minimal in relation to the total cost of the entire project.  And, your time is worth something.

And, not to hurt your feelings, but as houses, these buildings don't look too attractive or imaginative.  Where are all the windows?  

[HPC_Autumn]

If this is something you are seriously interested in doing I would advice setting up a meeting with the HP staff at the Ed Ball Building (I am one of them) prior to getting to far into the process.  I can imagine that this would be an expensive undertaking and you might want to get some kind of understanding about what kinds of concerns or issues that might arise before you get too far into the process.  A lot would depend on which lot and what the surrounding structures looked like.  I would advice contacting Joel McEachin, he's headed our department since Springfield became a local historic district and he can probably give you best guidance.

[Overstreet]

Granted you can put brick walls, stucco, block, or frame walls on a pre-engineered metal building. You can also add other architectural details to the roof to make it look more house like. But the look often comes with a price. You will have to find a lot in a non-deed restricted, no home owner's association area for this to be accepted.

As noted earlier you will have to have the engineering for permitting in the local area.  The farther away from the beach the better for two reasons.
    A. wind speed design requirements are less
    B. corrosion is less.......depends upon the roof materials  

If you seriously go after this using an erector that takes the building down, transports it, and re-erects it will reduce the surprises from lost items in transport.  Hiring an erector that works exlcusively in metal building erection will also increase your success rate.

You will also need to install the slab and set anchor bolts before they bring the building. Which would mean a drawing showning layout, foundations and reinforcing for the "doing" and the permit.

Do not scrimp on insulation. The noise from rain and expansion will be annoying if you don't insulate it properly.

[strider]

I've personally always wanted to turn a quonset hut into a house...but since I can't spell the word, perhaps I shouldn't.

There are actually worse looking houses in historic Springfield than what those metal buildings would end up looking like. A couple of them are even new...

I would suggest doing what HPC_Autumn suggested and getting some numbers and thoughts together and going to see Joel and the other good people who work in his department.  It is one of those ideas that may be OK, but also could end up being too expensive for the result.

And rain on those metal buildings can put you right to sleep...I used to own a few and a nap or two happened from time to time.

[TheProfessor]

Keep that fugly stuff out of Duval please.

[Springfielder]

No offense, and I understand that you're wanting to contribute to the neighborhood, but in all honesty, this isn't what's needed. If you're seriously considering this neighborhood, then take a look at what's available and already here.

[peestandingup]

Thanks for the advice (and criticism). Like I said, guys. This was just a thought I had to try to be resourceful & reuse things. Sure they're ugly. But these are just skeletons. Any structure is gonna look like crap when you strip it down to its bares.

BTW, speaking of steel, has anyone thought of using old shipping containers for homes or businesses for the area? It sounds crazy, but some of them are actually really cool looking. And they're pretty "green" as well if you do them right. I could see these as a funky art gallery or small business for the area.

I snagged some random pics & here is a Bob Vila video where some folks are building some in Tampa (note the additional chapter videos to the right).

[Springfielder]

It's a cool idea, but not in a historic district

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

It's a cool idea, but not in a historic district

x1000.

sorry PSU, but even including the more industrial areas, this is not the neighbourhood for that sort ov thing.

[Debbie Thompson]

I'm probably going to blow some people's minds, but I actually would not mind a couple of those on ALREADY VACANT lots (big emphasis on already vacant) especially up near the warehouse district in the NE quadrant. There are several vacant lots along the south side of 12th Street, west of Pearl, that would work well, too, as there are warehouses across from them and nearby.   If they were well done architecturally, like the top couple, I think they would be cool.  

If nicely done, and that's the key, are they really any less appealing than the new "historic-style" homes currently being built as infill?

I know...it'll never happen...but FWIW, there's my two cents.