We continue to get calls from the media to learn more about our community and campus of unique garages condominiums. Most recently the call came from Tempus magazine based out of London. Tempus helps it’s readers discover the latest luxury trends and get an inside look at luxury brands and latest global news from money to travel.
You can read online through Issuu here with other amazing garages featured.
Since we answered more questions than what ended up getting published we wanted to publish the all our responses to the interview questions.
How did the concept of AutoMotorPlex come about?
I always had or wanted an extra vehicle but did not have a way to handle it at my home. It never made sense to add on to my home garage as I would likely never be able to recoup my investment. I searched for a while but kept finding sub-par facilities with limited/no security and/or the amenities that would enable me to enjoy my lifestyle.
Interestingly, out of frustration with not finding a respectable quality place, I simply finished my home’s 3+ car garage (despite knowing it would be a losing proposition), it turned out beautifully as I designed it as a Teutonic, crisp, sharp, lots of metal finishing.. German vehicle lust space to hold my collection of both current model and vintage German cars + one BMW R90S. What I learned, however, was that I was always alone. Somehow imbibing, just me, in a Cuban cigar simply brought disdain from my wife and kids wondering where are my senses? What I needed were other people like me!
I had recently cashed out of my corporate role and thought why not… told the wife if she wanted to divorce me, now is the time while we still have money, but I was going on to chapter two of my life and plan to build something I simply was not able to find.
Who is your typical customer?
They tend to be born with the same fascination of vehicles, a passion for anything with an engine attached to it. Most of us have an affection for the art that the automobile is, in any form.. some like it in books or in paintings, but I like them most on two or four wheels. We all have the interest and passion, usually have the financial resources but have very limited time. The AutoMotorPlex is more than simply a place to house vehicles.. we focus on activating the lifestyle, we do things that are larger than any one of us can do on our own, and most importantly, we make it easy for people to join in on their terms. It’s like having car show happening on your back lawn… its up to you whether you want to open the garage door and join in the fun, you have all of your collection with you.
Most of our members also enjoy sharing their passion for the greater good. On a regular basis we share our collections of both significant vehicles and the gorgeously/artfully designed private garages which sometimes are better than the cars that they house! It all works well as we open our private doors and share the architected designs for a good cause.
What are the main features car enthusiasts want in a luxury garage?
It starts with having the right quality, security, and amenities, but quickly turns to a community and the things that the community does. Most owners build out their spaces to display their private collection of art, wine, watches and motorsports collectibles. Of course, there are the basics that include stone/marbled showers and powder rooms, gourmet kitchens, automotive-themed furniture, big screen displays and of course the obligatory wine collection. Our spaces become the special place, the refuse, the destination. It is also a place where we enthusiasts can give back to the community/charitable organizations and at the same time do it with things that we enjoy. Bringing smiles, bringing back memories and bringing generations together.
What is the most interesting feature someone has requested?
We could mention the wine cellar… Several in fact.. The first being a custom designed garage floor, 5mm thick stone/pebble floor finish to celebrate his collection of Ferrari’s that has swooping lines in a 300 sq meter first floor, colors (red/yellow/black), touches of stainless steel and of course a 3m tall prancing horse logo in the middle of it. Another couple who love the game of golf as much as their vehicles have a full-on professional golf simulator.. and the one most all of us love is the “family guy” who has a sport court separated by a floor to ceiling (5m) chain-link fence for his kids to be able to enjoy while he is soaking in the experience with his amazing collection of new and vintage cars. We also have those who we simply don’t discuss, much like a private club, some people are more private than others.
Have you seen an increase in demand for this kind of garage? If so, why do you think this is?
Interestingly, I always had questioned how many enthusiasts were out there.. am I a small minority (I asked myself)? When I built my first 20-acre campus for vehicle enthusiasts I was completely surprised that the demand far outstripped the supply as the lifestyle started to become understood. It took a while, a new concept opening its doors into the mouth of the great recession (2008) needed time to be understood and has been accelerating ever since. The First facility has more than doubled its resale values.
Now that our brand has become more well known many couples are buying together, so it becomes a less of a mancave and more of an urban retreat. Many of the owners have friends over, because they celebrate their space. Why be all alone.
It’s similar to an extremely popular destination location. I have now helped a number of others get their facilities built based on our business model, it’s exciting to see the success of one’s children.
Leave a Reply