[dailydriver]

A few members had asked that I post some pictures of my garage condo, so here you go. My condo is part of Iron Gate Motor Condos which is in Naperville, Illinois (a western suburb of Chicago). It is a relatively new project and is modeled after the AutoMotoPlex in Minnesota. The project will ultimately include 13 buildings when completed and each typical building includes 14 individual condo units of varying sizes (7 per side, with a demising/structural wall between). You buy a “shell” unit with unfinished space and then build it out to whatever level you want.

I purchased three smaller units and combined them into one larger space. The main garage floor is 64’ x 40’ which could fit 12 cars (6 wide x 2 deep) pretty comfortably without stacking. The mezzanine level includes a lounge, kitchen, full bathroom, and storage room. I also have a 3rd floor that has more finished space. I completed the buildout back in February and we are very pleased with how it turned out and the kind of use we are getting out of it. The space is much larger than what is required for my own needs (currently), so I have been renting space to some friends who need to store their cars which covers some expenses and helps justify the indulgence to the wife.

 

[Jareddad]

Love it!!! The next obvious question is what does something like this cost in Chicago??

 

[DLC]

Great job dailydriver. That really looks functional. One of the very things I look for when I visit a friends shop is that Floor Drain. It certainly makes things easier when cleaning cars and shop and you won't believe the shops I have seen without them. The upper mezzanine is also a great space. Well done and nice touch.

 

[HIRISC]

Nicely done.. makes ours look like a Sinclair station

I like the lam beam - I gather that's either several individual beams or one steel beam wrapped with wood, yes?

Enjoy and continued success with AMP 2.0.

 

[dailydriver]

Love it!!! The next obvious question is what does something like this cost in Chicago??

The smallest unit size is 20' x 40' and is priced at around $130,000 for the shell. If you include the mezzanine space (17' x 20'), it comes to around $114/square foot. You can easily double that for finished space.

 

[Rarity]

Another Reason to Move to Minnesota
Or is the Only reason to move to Minnesota

 

[HIRISC]

Another Reason to Move to Minnesota
Or is the Only reason to move to Minnesota

'dailydriver' is in Chicago-land

Significantly less obnoxious than MN re weather and income taxes.

 

[nh4]

That's amazing! I'd never leave.

-Jamie.

 

[Mikeyb]

The smallest unit size is 20' x 40' and is priced at around $130,000 for the shell. If you include the mezzanine space (17' x 20'), it comes to around $114/square foot. You can easily double that for finished space.

makes me feel a little better about the garage that I am building.. !

 

[dailydriver]

Nicely done.. makes ours look like a Sinclair station

I like the lam beam - I gather that's either several individual beams or one steel beam wrapped with wood, yes?

Enjoy and continued success with AMP 2.0.

Is that your space at AutoMotorPlex? I love the clean look and bright lighting. Is it 5000K color?

Our space has 3 glulam beams supporting the mezzanine level (one per unit - 20', 24', and 20' spans and 24" high). We left it natural and went with butcher block treads on the stairs to tie it in.

 

[6th element]

Very cool. Can you elaborate on being happy with the "use you are getting out of it"? I probably need a solution like this in the future but I struggle with the idea that I wouldn't really find utility beyond regular car storage. Do your kids like hanging out there? Are there car meets on the weekends or manufacturers doing tech sessions? Or is it mainly a man cave with a bunch of guys escaping for a few hours a week.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[HIRISC]

Is that your space at AutoMotorPlex? I love the clean look and bright lighting. Is it 5000K color?

Our space has 3 glulam beams supporting the mezzanine level (one per unit - 20', 24', and 20' spans and 24" high). We left it natural and went with butcher block treads on the stairs to tie it in.

Excellent job.

Yes, that's our place. I think they are 4100 T8's.. I'll look next time I'm there.

Built as a workshop, I went a little crazy with the lighting, but more is more. 19 twin T8 fixtures and 16 cans under the 16x40' mezzanine.

 

[DLC]

Excellent job.

Yes, that's our place. I think they are 4100 T8's.. I'll look next time I'm there.

Built as a workshop, I went a little crazy with the lighting, but more is more. 19 twin T8 fixtures and 16 cans under the 16x40' mezzanine.

Awesome and love the Moduline. You can never have enough lighting.

 

[nh4]

makes me feel a little better about the garage that I am building.. !

And don't think you get away with not posting pictures either

-Jamie.

 

[nicklinacre17]

makes me feel a little better about the garage that I am building.. !

In the UK or in the land of cheese and chocolate Mikey?

 

[DLC]

And don't think you get away with not posting pictures either

-Jamie.

Exactly! Don't let us have to resort to Google Street View Mikey.

 

[Mikeyb]

And don't think you get away with not posting pictures either

-Jamie.

In the UK or in the land of cheese and chocolate Mikey?

Exactly! Don't let us have to resort to Google Street View Mikey.

Ha. Will be in Switzerland of course. Won't be ready for 2.5 years but might be able to show at least the outline of what's happening in a year or so.

 

[dailydriver]

Very cool. Can you elaborate on being happy with the "use you are getting out of it"? I probably need a solution like this in the future but I struggle with the idea that I wouldn't really find utility beyond regular car storage. Do your kids like hanging out there? Are there car meets on the weekends or manufacturers doing tech sessions? Or is it mainly a man cave with a bunch of guys escaping for a few hours a week.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

Good question.

Obviously storing and doing some basic maintenance on the cars is the primary function. Beyond that, I can do a lot of remote work there. We have hosted a couple of political fundraisers, a charity event (with over 100 people), birthday parties, anniversary party, held work meetings, entertained clients, etc. My son and daughter-in-law watch movies there (it has a much better surround sound than their little condo). Another son practices with his band there. We have couples over for informal dinners. And yes, I do hang out with just guys occasionally and drink beer. It is a very unique space that is well suited for all kinds of entertaining. For larger functions, we will move out a couple of cars and have a catering service bring in highboy tables, bar, and buffet tables. There are monthly “Chrome and Coffee” events that bring out a lot of people and that has increased as more units are getting completed. It really has been a lot of fun for a car geek, but the rest of the family has really enjoyed it too.

 

[MarkNC]

Fantastic!

 

[dailydriver]

Great job dailydriver. That really looks functional. One of the very things I look for when I visit a friends shop is that Floor Drain. It certainly makes things easier when cleaning cars and shop and you won't believe the shops I have seen without them. The upper mezzanine is also a great space. Well done and nice touch.

Each unit has a large floor drain, so I have three. They are not the trench drain type, but they work well for cleaning cars and the floor. I have a commercial hose bib on each wall to minimize dragging hoses around. Thanks.