In London, 60 shipping crates will form an invitation-only pop-up mall

Regular Springwise readers are well-acquainted with the many creative uses of the shipping container, including pop-up health clinics, hotel rooms and nightclubs. The latest spotting? Boxpark — a pop-up shopping mall planned for launch this summer that’s created out of no fewer than 60 shipping crates. Slated to appear in London’s Shoreditch area this August, Boxpark will house more than 50 small stores in a two-story structure constructed on Bishopsgate Goods Yard, a former railway site that’s been unused for more than 40 years. The site isn’t scheduled for development for several years still, so Boxpark’s temporary solution works well for all parties. Conceived by Roger Wade — creator of the Boxfresh brand as well as fashion brand consultancy Brands Inc. — in partnership with real estate developers Hammerson and Ballymore, Boxpark will focus on small, independent brands that are hand-selected and offered space by invitation only. The result will be a mix of international fashion, arts and lifestyle brands along with galleries and cafés. Pop-up stores have been around for some time, but it’s a change to see this concept applied to an entire pop-up mall. We’re betting this won’t be the last time! One to emulate in your neck of the woods? (Related: In Milan, pop-up store sells designer clothes by the kilo — Typeface designers launch pop-up font store — At Melbourne festival, multivendor cafe opens for 11 days.) Spotted by: Jonathan Kyle