Project Garage Condo

[HIRISC]

I'm moving this thread from General to the Garage Gallery. I'll update here.
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Thought some of you might find this interesting.

My wife and I had been considering moving to a 3-5 acre piece of property that would be big enough for a house as well as an out-building (workshop/mancave).

We’ve decided to stay in our current home, but with my minor addiction to cars/toys, we’ve maxed the 4 car capacity of our current garage, leaving me no room for my next project: Cobra build.

Solution (excuse to buy) = garage condo.

Part storage, part workspace, part place to escape.

Location is the Auto Motorplex facility (40 acres) outside of Minneapolis. The host facility for the Minneapolis Cars & Coffee and Cycles & Coffee events.

There are currently 7 out of 11 buildings complete, with approximately 175 garage condo units and a 4000 square foot clubhouse with a bar/big screen tv’s/kitchen for ‘owner’ gatherings, events and such.

The unit we’re building-out is 1600 square feet (40x40) with a 16’x40’ mezzanine. Ceiling height is 18’. The upstairs will have a kitchen, ¾ bath, living room type area (flat screen/wi-fi), office and deck for cigar smoking. The bottom level will be a full workshop with a couple of lifts, storage room, 220V power, in-floor heat, wash bay/drains, another flat screen, and a lot of room for cabinets/tools.

Here’s the rough plan, some initial pics of the full-length (80') shell, and a few after the mid-wall was installed of the mezzanine i-beam and mezzanine decking going in (today).

I’ll add to this as the build-out continues.

If you just want to see the 'finished' product, see this:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1701265&postcount=531

See ya.

Edit - Immediately below is a picture of the AutoMotorplex facility from the air during one of last summer's Cars & Cafe events. 500 cars and lots of spectators:

 

[cwstevens92]

damn thats nice

 

[caper150]

I have seen these advertised at shows, do you buy or rent these, what kind of work can you do there, power supply that sort of thing. Not that I need it just curious, have lots of friend in Minneapolis that could use this.Nice place and nice ride.

 

[rpsurfr]

This is a great idea, I am stuck outside the city due to rules on how big a shop you can have. I have thought about buying 4000 sq ft building for just this purpose. Sell the house if I can and get a condo so I can spend more time with the projects I like instead of painting, lawn etc etc
I wonder if we have any garage condos near?
Very nice keep the pics coming

 

[HIRISC]

damn thats nice

Thanks

I have seen these advertised at shows, do you buy or rent these, what kind of work can you do there, power supply that sort of thing. Not that I need it just curious, have lots of friend in Minneapolis that could use this.Nice place and nice ride.

Buy.

That's one of the 'selling points'. The opportunity to build some equity. You can depreciate this & write off the interest if you take a loan out on it.

You can do whatever you want inside your space - except retail. It's zoned as commercial.

Full power (110 and 220v), water, heated floor, wi-fi, satellite TV, etc.. basically anything you can have at your house, you can build in these. Some guys use it as half workshop, half office. Some guys use it as simple storage. Everyone's a little different.

I'll store some toys, wrench on my cars, and plan to get going on a long over-due project of building either a Cobra (FFR) or another '69 Camaro.

Thanks

 

[HIRISC]

This is a great idea, I am stuck outside the city due to rules on how big a shop you can have. I have thought about buying 4000 sq ft building for just this purpose. Sell the house if I can and get a condo so I can spend more time with the projects I like instead of painting, lawn etc etc
I wonder if we have any garage condos near?
Very nice keep the pics coming

Thanks.

I thought on those same lines - if/when we move from our house, the 'condo' could be the main garage.

I considered buying a 40x80 space, but it's not cheap and I already have about 1100 square feet at home. 2700 square feet of total garage is plenty, plus I'm planning to go vertical with a couple more 4 post lifts in the 'condo'.

This link might be helpful for you:
http://www.inside-storage-shop-condos.com/storage-condos-michigan.html

 

[D KRAGER]

WOW, Is about all I can say. A garage condo, never knew anything like it existed. One hell of an idea. A great place to work, party, and share like interests with people and show off some of your toys. I'm looking forward to seeing this build.......

 

[JUSTA50]

It would be really cool if it were zoned so you could have a bedroom in there. I would be in heaven then. Perfect for the single car guy.

 

[HIRISC]

It would be really cool if it were zoned so you could have a bedroom in there. I would be in heaven then. Perfect for the single car guy.

You're 'not supposed' to sleep there, but it will have a pull-out bed, shower, kitchen and bathroom, so......

 

[HIRISC]

Stairs framing is in, decking going on, beam cut to length. coming right along

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Hey HIRISC, is that a real Yenko, or a clown...It looks nice whatever the case..

 

[HIRISC]

Hey HIRISC, is that a real Yenko, or a clown...It looks nice whatever the case..

Clone - lot's more power than the original - if that's any consolation

 

[Mr. Welsh]

So there's no track or anything at this location? It's just for storage/workshops/commercial use? Looks like a pretty fancy toy box.

[Edit] found the website: http://www.automotorplex.com/index.php

 

[honda-boy]

Sweet shop your building man, and love the complex too.

You guys in the US are so lucky

 

[HIRISC]

So there's no track or anything at this location? It's just for storage/workshops/commercial use? Looks like a pretty fancy toy box.

[Edit] found the website: http://www.automotorplex.com/index.php

No, no track That would be great.

Tracks are not likely to be built very close to Minneapolis. AutoMotorplex is about 20 miles west of MSP.

This venue hosts the Cars/Coffee events which have been bringing in a few hundred cars a month. The managing partner also brings in other events like auctions and so forth.

It's definitely set up for more than storage - a lot of folks are building cars, wrenching or polishing something or other. Some guys with a lot of coin just use it for storing their stuff - I need to get more out of it.

 

[kartracer23]

I rent a garage at the (kart) track. If you've never had a garage at a track, it's soooo nice. Just pull up & go. No trailers to mess with, no wondering if you forgot something, etc.
Now...lemme say...mine is like 10' x 20' and the closest thing I have to furniture is a shop stool, but it's still nice to have everything right there. I do have a dorm size fridge-and that's nice vs. a $3 beer from the concession stand.
And on race weekends, there are a lot of guys that sleep in their garage on cots or air mattresses if they live a good distance from the track.

Looks like you're building out a really nice space. I know motorsports parks were starting to be all the rage right before the economy tanked.

 

[Suprman]

i wish i could find something like this in Atlanta. dream place for a single guy like me.

 

[Metal-Marc]

WOW!! Really nice.

Lots of pink insulation too

 

[Iroc-Z]

That should be cool. Been there a few times. My boss has a condo unit there.

 

[OUNATE]

wow I would just live there, i should have researched this in Ohio before I bought.

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

Unfortunately I am in the NW metro. I would LOVE to have something like that closer to me. Definitely would solve my space problem at home. Is there a schedule for next year's Cars/Coffee events? I would enjoy the ride down there in my Chevelle and would like to see your '69 as well.

 

[bmwpower]

wow I would just live there......

I'm pretty sure that would be a problem.

 

[gbcamp72]

The design is first class. If you might be able to post any addtional shots of how they spanned the loft and tied in the floor joists would be helpful. I'm trying to do the same thing spanning 30 ft. Any idea on the sizes of the beam and the joists would be much apprecated.

Glenn

 

[irisservice]

tagging along

 

[HIRISC]

I rent a garage at the (kart) track. If you've never had a garage at a track, it's soooo nice. Just pull up & go. No trailers to mess with, no wondering if you forgot something, etc.
Now...lemme say...mine is like 10' x 20' and the closest thing I have to furniture is a shop stool, but it's still nice to have everything right there. I do have a dorm size fridge-and that's nice vs. a $3 beer from the concession stand.
And on race weekends, there are a lot of guys that sleep in their garage on cots or air mattresses if they live a good distance from the track.

Looks like you're building out a really nice space. I know motorsports parks were starting to be all the rage right before the economy tanked.

Thanks. I'd prefer a 10x20' adjacent to a track, but no such luck. A guy doesn't 'really' need much more than a mattress and a fridge anyway - I tried telling my wife that and she laughed.

 

[HIRISC]

Unfortunately I am in the NW metro. I would LOVE to have something like that closer to me. Definitely would solve my space problem at home. Is there a schedule for next year's Cars/Coffee events? I would enjoy the ride down there in my Chevelle and would like to see your '69 as well.

They have hinted at a small/er place near Wayzata and/or another smaller campus on the East side of town (figure Woodbury). Chan will still be the main campus, but they understand that not everyone wants their toys very far.

My office is in Chan, so that makes it doable for me/us.

 

[HIRISC]

The design is first class. If you might be able to post any addtional shots of how they spanned the loft and tied in the floor joists would be helpful. I'm trying to do the same thing spanning 30 ft. Any idea on the sizes of the beam and the joists would be much apprecated.

Glenn

Thanks. My contractor is great. Very can-do.

Joists are 12x2x16' - 12" on center. Beam is 12"x6"x30'ish feet. I'll measure it on Monday when I swing out there.

Just so I'm clear, you want to see the floor joists to the skirt or to the beam or both? I'll take pics of both ends/connection points of the joists.

Edit - I just saw this pic. They toenailed the joists first - assuming they will be by afterward with the hangers.

 

[autoist]

Bet their not planning on any hangers.

 

[HIRISC]

Bet their not planning on any hangers.

Yes, that's possible, they put more than just a 'tack' level of nails in that one board.

I'll talk it over with my contractor.

I'm fine with a full toenail - that floor will have a light load.

Obviously, lot's of floors have/do go up without hangers.

 

[HIRISC]

Is there a schedule for next year's Cars/Coffee events? I would enjoy the ride down there in my Chevelle and would like to see your '69 as well.

First Saturday of every month - April through November (weather permitting for that last one). 7am - 11am.

400+ cars show up on nice days.. you want to be there no later than 8am to get a spot.

LMK if you come to Cars & Coffee.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Looks like it will be a sweet place. Do you have get the sprinkler system modified?

 

[strnge]

Subscribed!!!

 

[HIRISC]

Looks like it will be a sweet place. Do you have get the sprinkler system modified?

yes, to meet fire code, we have create a drop down from the main tube that will run (under) the full length of the mezzanine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

yes, to meet fire code, we have create a drop down from the main tube that will run (under) the full length of the mezzanine.

Glad to hear, just remember not to mess with those sprinklers, you wouldn't believe how much water comes out of them.

 

[HIRISC]

Glad to hear, just remember not to mess with those sprinklers, you wouldn't believe how much water comes out of them.

Will do - I saw a sprinkler get hit in a warehouse about 20 years ago - big mess.

 

[HIRISC]

Bet their not planning on any hangers.

Talked with my contractor - they are going to install joist hangers as well as the 'tack' toenailing.

 

[HIRISC]

Out surveying the progress and watched my neighbors gigantic lam beam being installed.

There are a couple of contractors working on site - my contractor used a steel I-Beam - 12" high x 6" wide.

The other contractor doesn't work in steel and their solution is a 3' high x 10" wide lam beam.

I guess it will hold plenty of weight, but it sure is a chunky (and heavy) thing:

 

[McDowell]

wow, that is one enormous beam. i'd say your steel beam is definately the more practical of the two, but that giant wood beast does look pretty damn cool.

 

[HIRISC]

wow, that is one enormous beam. i'd say your steel beam is definately the more practical of the two, but that giant wood beast does look pretty damn cool.

I agree. If I went the lam beam route, I'd just seal it.. It's almost the stress beam and the knee wall all in one!

My lil' steel beam will be covered in sheetrock

 

[Romanova]

Wow... looks amazing! Can't wait to see the final results.