You’ve researched the best brands, test-driven dozen of models, saved enough money and even won your spouse’s approval to purchase your dream sports car. There’s just one problem: Where will you keep it? Insufficient garage space is a major obstacle for car collectors, who don’t want their prized autos exposed to the elements but who also don’t necessarily want to build an additional carport. A new concept, car condos, aims to solve the problem. “A lot of people have multiple vehicles—cars, boats, motorcycles—and their existing homes aren’t sufficient for it,” says Randy Wild, co-owner of The Place, a new car condo development in Chesterfield Valley.
The problem of storage space is one with which Wild is familiar. “My father-in-law had given me extra cars, and I have a three-car garage and had no room for them,” he says. He and co-owner Steve Stodnick noticed car condos popping up in other cities, including Chicago and Minneapolis, and believes the concept will do well in St. Louis, where until now, the only option for some collectors has been to buy larger houses with more land and more garages.
The condos at The Place will differ from traditional storage units. First, they are owned outright, not rented, and owners will have 24-7 access to their units. Second, they are fully customizable. The units will range in size from 622 to 4,200 square feet, and owners can purchase as many units as they want. Because security is a major concern for every vehicle owner, Wild says The Place will have vigilant, high-end security monitoring.
Wild envisions the units functioning not only as storage spaces, but also as bachelor pads, of sorts. “They can be finished however the customer wants, with a mezzanine inside for extra storage, a golf simulator or a bar,” he says. “Basically, a man cave is what it can be turned into.” The units also can serve as personal showrooms. “People will be bringing friends over, tinkering on their cars and showing them off,” Wild says. “We’re planning to organize some car shows to promote The Place.” The development will feature a clubhouse to facilitate additional socializing.
Car, motorcycle and boat owners are not the only ones excited about the project, Wild reports. “We’ve gotten tons and tons of great feedback from RV and car dealers,” he says. “They have customers who want to buy more cars but they don’t have room.”
Orders for units will be accepted starting July 18. Wild anticipates groundbreaking on phase I, which will encompass 53,452 square feet, to take place in the fall, and plans for The Place to open in the spring.
By Rebecca Koenig
[The Place, a new car condo development owned by Randy Wild and Steve Stodnick, is located at 600 Spirit Valley East Drive. Clients can purchase and customize their own space to store cars, boats or other vehicles in a comfortable and secure building. For more information, call 314.478.5251 or visit theplaceinchesterfield.com.]