Project Garage Condo

[HIRISC]

This complex and your condo look amazing. Thanks for sharing it.

I took a very similar (albeit far less costly) route a few years back and have not regretted it.

My intention when I took this step was to be able to flip houses every few years without having to move my shop. Also, I figured that it was much easier to sell a regular house or a shop building then it would be to find a buyer for a house with a big shop behind it if I HAD to sell. What it actually allowed me to do is to move into a smaller, less expensive home on a city lot with a smaller garage at home

My building is classified as a "storage condo" in a development of about 60-70 buildings located just outside of the small town that I live in north of Milwaukee, WI. The development here was the first that I had ever seen like it and it was very successful for the developers.

Mine is 40 X 60 w/ 16 ft ceilings. It has 200 Amp electric single phase and a gas main run into it. It is a stand alone building with no shared walls. The downside - no sewer and water.

I bought my building about 5 yrs ago now. Cost at that time was roughly $30 / SF for the one that I bought. Smaller one (30X40) were selling at roughly $45 / SF. Metal sided and roofed building, 2X6 wall construction, concrete floor, single 12 ft OH door and a service door. It costs me roughly $1000 / yr for property taxes and another $250 / yr to plow the roads and cut the grass.

I have yet to finish the inside, but I am starting to work on it this summer as time and money allow. It has been a cost effective solution for me, I think a good investment, and great flexible space to do anything in. I would recommend something like it to anyone.

You're welcome. Thanks for the nice compliment.

A consistent space is golden. Sounds like you've got a great setup!

 

[Gustav_t]

SUBSCRIBED!

Just read your entire thread. Passed it so many times - but thought garage condo sounded kinda boring - boy was I wrong. I love it! Must be so cool to stand on the mezzanine? looking down on your cars.

G.

 

[HIRISC]

SUBSCRIBED!

Just read your entire thread. Passed it so many times - but thought garage condo sounded kinda boring - boy was I wrong. I love it! Must be so cool to stand on the mezzanine? looking down on your cars.

G.

It's empty (and dirty) now, but I hope to have that view in about 3 months when the snow goes away.

 

[Mr. Welsh]

I'm kind of surprised that you left the upper area so open.

Are you concerned about controlling dust, odors, noise, etc?

 

[HIRISC]

I'm kind of surprised that you left the upper area so open.

Are you concerned about controlling dust, odors, noise, etc?

Noise, no.. It would be noisy (relatively) either way.
Dust, no.. I won't do any body work or wood working in this shop.
Odors, yes, a little.

My '69 is the only real stinky car that I have an I'm planning to run exhaust hoses through or under the garage door if I'm running that.

We considered going all the way up and enclosing the upstairs, but I've seen a few units done that way and I didn't like how it felt very isolated. We also didn't want to hoard all the natural light from the 3 big windows and 1 glass door upstairs. It's a compromise either way and the kneewall won out.

We have 2 industrial and 4 smaller ceiling fans pushing the air down, so we're hopeful it's a good bet. It also has a 18' wide x 16' high garage door that will evacuate odors out quickly.

 

[jay8s]

Updates?

AWESOME BUILD!!!!

Jay8s

 

[HIRISC]

Updates?

Coming soon

 

[Holedgr]

Chompin at the bit, here!!! Come on Feb 11...Nice Z btw......

 

[JTSmithson]

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.

i've been to them since it started at the caribou coffee on shady oak in minnetonka, i'm the 1970 911T Targa.

can't wait for april, this is an event for ANYONE who likes ANYTHING about cars.

 

[vwgtivw]

WOW that all I can say.

 

[Stuart in MN]

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.

What kinds of cars show up for the Cars and Coffee? Is it mainly foreign/exotics, or is a little bit of everything? I've been meaning to check it out, but by the time I think about it on Saturday morning it's usually too late to bother. I have an older euro spec BMW, a hot rod Pontiac and an old Ford truck (as well as a bunch of old motorcycles) so I want to make sure I'm making the right fashion statement.

 

[HIRISC]

Chompin at the bit, here!!! Come on Feb 11...Nice Z btw......

Thanks!

i've been to them since it started at the caribou coffee on shady oak in minnetonka, i'm the 1970 911T Targa. Can't wait for april, this is an event for ANYONE who likes ANYTHING about cars.

I've seen your car! I've been at C&C from the beginning too.. remember the first one there were like 30 cars.

WOW that all I can say.

Thanks

What kinds of cars show up for the Cars and Coffee? Is it mainly foreign/exotics, or is a little bit of everything? I've been meaning to check it out, but by the time I think about it on Saturday morning it's usually too late to bother. I have an older euro spec BMW, a hot rod Pontiac and an old Ford truck (as well as a bunch of old motorcycles) so I want to make sure I'm making the right fashion statement.

Mixed bag: Lot's Porsche's, BMW's of all vintages, tons of late model American sports cars (Vettes/Vipers/Ford GT's), lot's of Japanese cars, a growing number of muscle cars, and the occasional exotic.

All are welcome - bring what you feel like driving. It's worth the trip: The cars are great, as are the people and the garages.

FYI - Motorplex hosts a cycle's and cafe (coffee) event 1x a month - usually the 3rd Sat. if memory serves.

If you see a LeMan's blue Yenko Camaro (rep), pls introduce yourself.

 

[IdahoJoe]

You're killing us. When we will get to see some updates?

 

[HIRISC]

Sorry for the delay..Update.

Done:
All window/door jamb/sill/headers painted white
Furniture starting to roll in
Moduline cabinets installed - still wrapped in plastic
2 of 4 corner speakers mounted
Kitchen and Vanity countertops in (white caulk turns clear when dry)
Air compressor delivered


Happening now:
Brushed aluminum diamond plate going in around faucets/tub
Stair risers being trimmed out in diamond plate


Soon:
Black rubber stair treads
Install compressor
Couches/chairs arrive
Fridges arrive
Railing
Lifts
Air line reel/etc.
Paint touch up, re-roll.
Upstairs TV mount/TV/2 speaker install
Clean, clean, clean

 

[kwoody51]

Looks very nice!!!

 

[PurdueSD]

Nice compressor!

You will love it, Ive got the same one only in the 80Gal 5hp variety.

 

[HIRISC]

Nice compressor!

You will love it, Ive got the same one only in the 80Gal 5hp variety.

Thanks. I didn't really need a 5hp - 2 stage compressor, but the 60 gallon was the smallest Quincy compressor available and I really appreciated the build quality, reputation and (with start up kit) 5 year warranty.

I think I'll grow into it and will also like how quiet it is. My other compressor is a Craftsman and you can't hear yourself think anywhere near it.

Overkill, but that seems to be par for the Condo course

 

[PurdueSD]

Yeah i stuck mine under the stairs with the intention of enclosing it to keep the noise down. Turns out the gray round intake filter thingy silences it down to where i decided it wasnt really necessary for me.

Out of sight, out of mind would have been a drawback in this case too i think.

 

[Dead End Kid]

Gee's...I think I just wet m-self.....

 

[Evil_C5]

damn that is so pretty!

your a lucky man!

 

[NUTTSGT]

No disappointments here.

 

[HIRISC]

Thanks all - I definitely feel like a lucky guy.

I hope a lot of friends and family will also enjoy it.

 

[HIRISC]

Modulines Unwrapped

Spent a few hours cleaning up - couldn't take the sawdust/**** all over.

I also unwrapped the Moduline cabinets. Man, they look sweet.

 

[wtfovr]

AWESOME!! I can't wait to see it filled out.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Hey Uncle, moms always said i had a lost uncle up in Minneapolis,now that we've met, when can i use the shop!

 

[PIJim]

A couple of questions...

Have you installed a "back splash" on the wall behind your moduline cabinets?
Is that a light fixture on the wall at the left hand side of the bay?

BTW...Fabulous space

 

[kwoody51]

A couple of questions...

Have you installed a "back splash" on the wall behind your moduline cabinets?
Is that a light fixture on the wall at the left hand side of the bay?

BTW...Fabulous space

Pretty sure the thing on the left is for the TV.

 

[stricht8]

Beautiful space. Great concept! What are condo fees like?

 

[evil_twin]

I love it!!

 

[51rider]

Oooohhhh! Love those Moduline cabinets

The whole thing is just very cool

 

[Conor42]

Loving the moduline setup. Mmm.. This rig looks like it's almost ready to park stuff in and get grease on the floor!

Thanks very much.. If I got a stripper pole, my wife would ensure that I became a full time tenant at the 'condo'. Come to think of it, how rough would that be

My wife would insist on the stripper pole.. heh. Lovely build! Enjoy it!

 

[HIRISC]

Hey Uncle, moms always said i had a lost uncle up in Minneapolis,now that we've met, when can i use the shop!

A couple of questions...
Have you installed a "back splash" on the wall behind your moduline cabinets?
Is that a light fixture on the wall at the left hand side of the bay?
BTW...Fabulous space

Thanks. No backsplash yet, just wall under/above the countertop. The countertop has a 2.5" built in 'backsplash', but I'm going to add 1x 6" gladiator strip to hold bins, etc. I want to keep the cabinet area pretty clean looking.

As kwoody51 wrote, it's an in-wall TV mount.. I wrapped part of it in foam wrap to keep it from getting beat up.. New pics soon with the TV on it

 

[HIRISC]

Beautiful space. Great concept! What are condo fees like?

Thanks. The condo (association) fees are scaled based on how much sq. ft. you have. We pay $140 month (greens/snow fees/garbage/on-site management/security, etc.)

 

[red92s]

Sorry for the delay..Update.

Ikea? Room & Board?

 

[HIRISC]

Ikea? Room & Board?

Cork flooring from Menards

Maple cabinets from Lowes (special ordered)

Furniture from Room & Board (good eye)

Blue moving blankets from home



Here's the Parson's desk/return without the glass on it.

 

[Enloe]

Have you thought about going from the floor of the loft to th ceiling with glass? It would be closed but still look open and let the light in.

 

[red92s]

Furniture from Room & Board (good eye)

Here's the Parson's desk/return without the glass on it.

I only recognize it because I bought a Perspective bed frame from them last year and have been wanting more ever since. That Parsons stuff is going to look great in a quasi-industrial setting like you are building.

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

Have you thought about going from the floor of the loft to th ceiling with glass? It would be closed but still look open and let the light in.

With my experience of working in my shop, I'd recommend it, that is if you want the loft to stay clean. But then again, what you work on may not be near as dirty or need near as much welding and cutting and grinding as the trucks I work on.

 

[tmoneyr007]

Have you thought about going from the floor of the loft to th ceiling with glass? It would be closed but still look open and let the light in.

That would be awesome. Maybe on a sliding track that would let the "air" in when wanted but private/quiet when wanted.

Either way gorgeous space.

 

[HIRISC]

I only recognize it because I bought a Perspective bed frame from them last year and have been wanting more ever since. That Parsons stuff is going to look great in a quasi-industrial setting like you are building.

Cool bed!

I love Room & Board. A little pricey for some stuff, but all very top end quality.