From Steel to Scene: How Conexwest Delivered a Complex Setup in Reno, Nevada
In Nevada’s “biggest little city,” something new is taking shape in the heart of downtown.
Welcome to Locomotion Plaza, a modular community hub built entirely from six custom shipping containers by Conexwest. These aren’t just boxes. They’ve been transformed into bars, a DJ booth, a vendor kiosk, and storage spaces, the backbone of a plaza that’s bringing people together right in downtown Reno.
But the most interesting thing about this project is not what it has become, but how it was set up!
On May 22, the Conexwest crew arrived in Reno for the installation of six custom shipping containers at Locomotion Plaza. The project included five 20-foot units and one 40-foot unit, each designed with a specific purpose to bring the plaza to life.
Most container installs are straightforward: a tilt-bed truck backs up, drops the unit, and drives away. But downtown Reno was a different challenge. With tight streets, overhead power lines, and no space for trucks to maneuver, we had to bring in cranes. That meant closing streets, coordinating traffic control, and setting each container with inch-perfect accuracy.
It’s the kind of high-complexity install most companies don’t touch, but it’s also what makes projects like Locomotion Plaza possible.
Conexwest's forward-thinking and professionalism enabled us to execute one of the most sophisticated shipping container installations ever, utilizing cranes and meticulous precision.
The Results?
One container was transformed into a fully functional DJ booth, complete with a 16-foot roll-up door, full insulation, electrical wiring, and interior railings to support lights and speakers. Another 20-foot container was designated as a projection and lighting hub for creative displays.
Two containers were built out as sleek black bars, outfitted with service windows, rooftop AC units, surface-mounted electrical, and pop-up drink ledges for guests.
The Vision Behind the Project
A 40-foot storage container with barn doors was fully finished on the inside, featuring walls, flooring, and electrical to support plaza operations.
The final unit was a vendor kiosk, customized with shelving and automated roll-up doors to accommodate food service or retail use.
Together, these six containers formed the backbone of the plaza, creating a flexible, modular community space in the heart of downtown Reno.
The concept for Locomotion Plaza came from urban designer Cynthia Albright, working in partnership with the City of Reno.
“The idea was to activate this plaza with spaces that people could use when it’s either cool, too hot, or windy and at the same time, create places to buy beverages, enjoy music, and gather as a community,” Albright explained.
Weight limits and restrictions played a key role in the design. The plaza sits on top of the Union Pacific Railroad’s underground structure, which meant traditional construction wasn’t possible.
Containers provided the perfect solution: lightweight, movable, and adaptable to the site’s limitations.
What began as raw steel boxes was transformed into a bustling community plaza. Furnishers were added: rocking chairs, umbrellas, high-top benches, kids’ furniture, and more. Local artists painted the containers, while signage and lighting installations gave the plaza its distinctive identity.
On opening day, the bars poured drinks, the DJ booth came alive, and the vendor kiosk welcomed its first customers. Families gathered, music played, and the once-empty lot was reintroduced to Reno as a thriving community space.
Locomotion Plaza demonstrates the power of modular construction. In less than a week, Conexwest delivered a multi-use venue with the flexibility to grow and adapt over time.
Shipping containers are not just functional, they are cultural anchors. In Reno, they’ve created a space that reflects the city’s spirit: resourceful, creative, and community-driven.
As the designer put it best: “The containers are the glue that holds it all together.”
Visit Locomotion Plaza
301 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
Locomotion Plaza is now open in downtown Reno. Stop by to experience the DJ booth, grab a drink from the container bars, or simply enjoy the plaza’s unique atmosphere.
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