( CNN ) -- Here 's an unusual site . A developer in the South African city of Johannesburg has transformed an old grain silo into trendy residences , re-purposing the entire ten-story building and topping it with disused shipping containers to provide extra living space . The result may look like a giant Jenga puzzle , but the Mill Junction project aims to provide affordable accommodation to just under 400 students . See also : Paris metro stations given exciting second life . South African universities have high dropout rates , according to figures from the country 's Council on Higher Education , with many students forced to quit their studies before graduating . According to Citiq , the company behind the project , Mill Junction will help students from poorer backgrounds by offering them budget living space close to school campuses . The building has been fitted with communal kitchens , study areas , free WiFi and a rooftop social area . `` Our intention with these projects is to provide people with decent accommodation at affordable prices that is well located centrally in the city , '' Citiq CEO , Paul Lapham , told CNN . `` I am really excited about how these kind of projects can help address the dire shortage of good student accommodation in South Africa , '' he added . As well as providing an important social function , Lapham believes the project has helped maintain the architectural heritage of Johannesburg . The distinctive grain silos had lain dormant since the late 1980s but provide a striking visual reminder of the old industries once housed in the city . Adding shipping containers , meanwhile , has put an extra five levels on the original structure ( including the rooftop space ) and makes creative second use of materials that would otherwise lie idle . See also : Could micro-homes offer big housing solution . `` Repurposing old spaces plays a key role in revitalizing a city in terms of the people living and working there , as well as retaining the history , character and eclectic feel of these old neighborhoods , '' Lapham said . `` The alternative of leaving these sites abandoned , or even demolishing them , has the potential to destroy this . '' Take a tour of the Mill Junction building by clicking through the gallery atop the page . Are there any similarly creative architectural projects near you ? Let us know in the comments section below .
A developer in Johannesburg has transformed an old mill into a spectacular new private residence . Mill House is a two - storey building with shipping containers added to the front for extra living space . The project aims to provide affordable housing while celebrating the city 's architectural history .