Hi I'm Andrew, a kid that's building a shipping container complex

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My name is Andrew VanCura. I am a recent college graduate from Illinois. I am 22 years old and ready to create the vision that I have dreamed about for years; a shipping container apartment building. I have done years of research and planning while still attending school, and now that I am out, it's go time. I have no experience in real estate, development, or investing, and I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about the business world. What I do know is that I am putting 100% into making my visions true, and no matter what it takes, that shipping container complex will be standing and operating within 3 years. I realize I will need a lot of help during my journey, and I am hoping that I can connect with others that can provide me insight and advice from their past experiences. I will explain a little about my plans below, and I am always willing to talk more in-depth to anyone interested. Prepare yourself......

This shipping container complex will be comprised of 500 shipping containers, having 310 living areas total. 300 units will be single studio apartments, 50 units will create a total of 10 suite-style apartments, 50 units will create office space, a restaurant, a gym, a small shop, and a salon. The last 100 units will be used as hallways and utility space. Every living space will come furnished. The complex will be located within 50 miles from Los Angeles. The 310 apartments/suites alone is expected to generate $450,000/month revenue.

I want the image of this shipping container complex to be looked at as an affordable living space, but one that also has luxurious amenities included in the average rent price. The biggest focus of the amenities will be the outdoor pool and property. I envision the outdoor pool and property to look similar to a Las Vegas resorts. Big, open, lively, and beautiful to look at. Rent, all utilities, internet, parking, and all "fees" will be combined into one monthly payment for residents to make, with simplicity in mind. Every morning and night, a shuttle service will be running to and from Los Angeles to transport residents, for free.

Very big ideas, I know. Behind my crazy/optimistic mind, I also have the ability to think realistically. All of my ideas and plans have reasoning and financial projections behind them. My vision to create this shipping container complex will be incredibly difficult, will be very profitable, and will absolutely happen.

You know that one guy that is known as crazy, that is always is acting impulsively, is always cutting corners, but somehow always ends up on top? Well that's me. And by the way...... He's not acting impulsively, he made a plan and is acting promptly. He's not cutting corners, he just took a more risky approach. Ending up on top? That part is true.

Thanks for reading my introduction!

[Nathan Gesner]

It's easy to jump on here and claim you have everything mapped out and can generate $450,000 in revenue every month. However, I'm 48 years old with a few years of life experience behind me, some investment property, and a decade of real estate experience and I suspect this is all a pipe dream. Let me ask some basic questions:

1. What is the cost for development? Land, permits, infrastructure, materials, furnishings, utilities, project management, property management, furnishings, sidewalks, pool maintenance, insurance for your free shuttle, etc?

2. How do you intend to raise capital to fund this project?

3. You claim this will generate "$450,000/month revenue" but have you really done the math? A quick Google search tells me the average 1-bedroom apartment in LA rents for over $2,000 a month. Utilities average over $200 a month. $450,000 revenue comes to less than $1,500 per unit. Subtract $200 per unit for utilities and you're almost $1,000 cheaper that the average. Now add in the cost of the furniture, your free shuttle, pool maintenance, common area utilities, property management, etc. It looks like you're going to spend $50,000,000 to make $50,000.

4. I've never developed land but I can tell you this: there are a ton of hurdles to clear before you stick a shovel in the dirt. What government entities have jurisdiction over this land? What evidence do you have that the demand exists? How will the local populace react to this development? Is an environmental assessment necessary? What police/fire requirements exist? How many parking spaces are needed per unit?  I could probably think of a hundred questions to address and I'm a complete novice in this arena.

Long story short, you're a 22-year-old kid with zero knowledge, experience, or capital looking at a project so vast in scope that 99% of the commercial developers in this country wouldn't even try it.

I hope you can prove me wrong.