Condos for cars

FOR Condos cars

Local couple builds business on storage condominiums

by Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

When one considers buying a condo, they are usually planning on purchasing a place to live for their family, either as a full time home or a vacation residence.

But Elkhorn Motor Condos are not homes for the family but homes for the family’s big toys. Toys such as classic automobiles, boats, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles need somewhere to be stored and the family’s garage usually is not large enough to accommodate the family cars and special vehicles that are part of the family’s fun.

For 42 years Dale Hargrave owned Hargrave Builders, Inc. in the western suburbs of Chicago. As a full time builder, he worked hard and was proud of his work, but he also put in long hours. Six years ago, he sold his business and moved with his wife Patty to southern Wisconsin,

“It was a busy time with Dale always at work so I looked forward to our retirement as a time to relax and enjoy time together,” said Patty Hargrave. “That worked for a while, then Dale, like many men who had worked hard for so many years, became bored with so

top: Dale and Patty Hargrave stand inside one of their 16 Motor Condos currently being built in Elkhorn. The units are available for sale. Items such as vintage collectible cars, sailboats, and large recreational vehicles are safe and protected in their own condo. above: A 1956 Chevy and a 1968 Mercedes Benz convertible are viewed by visitors while parked inside one of the Elkhorn Motor condos. In 1956 gasoline was 22 cents a gallon and in 1968 it sold for 34 cents a gallon.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

much time on his hands.”

Dale loves anything with a motor so it is not surprising that he has collected a variety of “toys” with motors. He also began to research this new motor condo concept that was starting to blossom in various areas of the country.

“He purchased a classic Chevy for me because it was from the year I was born,” said Patty Hargrave. “He also began to research the then new concept of motor condos that was starting to grow around the country. Although there were none located in Walworth County, Dale felt this was the perfect spot to develop a motor condo development since there were many residents with boats, motorcycles, classic automobiles, and large scale recreational vehicles that needed a place to store them.”

When a piece of property became available next to a building they already owned, Patty encouraged Dale to purchase it, and consider whether he wished to pursue the dream of developing a motor condo.

“The builder in him returned. After learning more about these special condos, he was excited to build his own motor condo building,” said Patty Hargrave. “The property we had purchased in an industrial area was perfect for the project.”

While there were no such buildings in the Elkhorn area, this did not dissuade the Hargraves from pursuing a permit to build the condos.

“It took a year before we were ready to begin building, with all the permits in hand, architectural designs created and approved, ordering the required materials in this difficult time, and finding enough workers to create the buildings, ” Patty said. “We felt there was a need in this area, where there are so many people who owned classic cars that they did not want to leave out in the cold Wisconsin winter. Or they owned recreational vehicles that needed to be stored through the summer until they were ready to be taken out to travel to warmer climes in the winter.”

Their goal was to create a quality space that owners would be pleased to own and that was located in an area that was convenient for them. They sought high quality and attention to detail so that each unit was a quality condo.

The units vary in size from 25 to 75 feet wide and from 25 to 50 feet deep allowing purchasers to choose the size that best meets their needs for the number of vehicles they wish to store and depending on what else they wish to do in the space.

“For some the condo is the place they choose to work on their vehicle,” Dale said. “Each unit can hold two to 20 autos depending on the size one chooses”

According to Dale, these are high efficiency buildings. There is R-21 insulation in the exterior wall and R-32 in the ceiling insuring the high efficiency of the building. Each unit is dry walled with R-19 insulation between the units, which will help to provide some soundproofing.

There is a floor drain in each unit. The floors themselves are reinforced concrete. There are four 120 V double duplex outlets, and four efficient LED eight-foot light fixtures. Each unit is equipped with a 100 amp electric panel to provide the necessary electric power for the unit and any changes that are made by the owners,

There are three buildings arranged around a central courtyard of reinforced concrete where owners access their units. When completed, a gate will prevent others from entering the campus. Each owner will have access to the entrance of the complex.

The units are sold with the main floor completed and roughed in plumbing for the possible addition of an in-unit bathroom or utility sink if the owners care to add one. Many of the owners build a second floor mezzanine which can be used as an office or as a gathering room for friends and family. Because of the high ceiling in the unit, the second floor mezzanine can be added with plenty of headroom and increases the available usable space in the unit.

above: Elkhorn Motor Condos is a new concept being built in Elkhorn to house high-end toys that just don’t fit in the at-home garage. top: This view from the street shows the condo building with stone trim. The complex will have a locked security gate allowing only owners to enter. Security cameras will be monitored to keep the units and their contents safe.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

“We also offer some amenities for the owners. There is a community space which includes both a male and female restroom and a community room with a small kitchen where owners can gather, share information about their cars, enjoy lunch or sit and watch television,” said Patty.

Once the spaces are sold, the owners can decorate them to their taste. Some may choose to keep a garage/workspace look while others may turn the space into an elegant office or room to gather, especially if they build the second floor mezzanine.

The Hargraves expect many of the owners will become friends as they share their interests in classic cars, motorcycles, boating, or RV living.

“In spite of the fact that owners may have many amenities in their motor condo, there is one thing that is not allowed. Owners cannot spend the night and sleep in the unit as it is not zoned for living space,” added Patty Hargrave.

When the units were started, they expected to have them completed early this year. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Things went slower with construction than they expected. Due to the supply chain shortages and the difficulty finding construction help, they are completing this project much later than expected. But in spite of the delays, they have been able to maintain the quality they expect. The units will be completed this fall.

“The stone accents on the outside walls were among the materials that were late to arrive. We expected to have the stone installed a couple of months ago, but due to delays in delivery, it was completed last month,” Patty said. ”Now we are waiting for the delivery of our secure entry gate. Once it is installed, there will be safe access 24/7.”

Although they expected the motor condos to be well received as there seemed to be a need for indoor storage of their motor vehicles, they were not sure.

They were pleasantly surprised when they received 35 inquiries about the spaces when they put up the website and began to advertise their availability.

“We have already sold five of the 16 spaces and have had a lot of interest in the project,” added Patty Hargrave. “While interest in these large mechanical toys usually begins with the men of the family, it is not long until it becomes a family affair.”

Elkhorn Motor Condos is at 1503 N. Country Club Parkway, Elkhorn. Call 847833-2390 for more information or to make an appointment to visit the space. Or visit them on line at elkhornmotorcondos.com. Their next Open House will be held onsite on Saturday Oct. 8.