What is a car condo? A tour of the new Woodfield community

It’s officially July and besides giving us watermelon, fireworks and all the patriotic vibes, this month has become synonymous with some of the best car show weekends of the summer! In the spirit of all that vintage ride energy I wanted to take the opportunity to revisit the Woodfield Motor Condos I toured back in May.

Now, if you are asking- “what’s a motor condo?” don’t worry, you are not alone. Also known as a “car condo,” this is a relatively new concept taking off outside of communities where folks might not have a big enough garage or the ability to add a workshop to their property.

The idea is basically like renting a storage unit for your excess stuff, only your excess stuff is really your hobby, and your storage unit has been upgraded to a place you can work on that hobby and have friends over and entertain around that hobby…

These are definitely not condos as in homes, they are garages- just really really nice garages.

And so much more.

The Woodfield Condos have embraced the racing theme on their signage and hosts events for car enthusiasts to participate in showing off their rides (and spaces) at a monthly Cars and Coffee.

The development is growing quickly with many new buildings under construction and plans to finish out the plat with 100 total units over the next couple of years.

You start with the shell, which are available in a few different sizes, and you choose how you want to design and build the inside.

They can recommend contractors but if construction is part of your hobby- you can put in the work yourself.

Most of the finished condos featured lounges, kitchenettes and mini bars.

For those with outdoor access (patios and balconies) I’m sure the owners are just waiting for nicer weather to get out the grills.

Equipped with water and electricity you can’t live in the condos but you can customize them to have all the comforts of home. A home that’s also a garage, a really really nice garage.

A development like this might be perplexing to some. I would wager they are people who have never got caught up in a project that they spent all day and night working on outside their home. The folks here have a passion for their collections and a desire to be among people who share their interests.

One couple from Door County told us it was their “home away from home.” Which is funny to those who would love to be able to call Door County their home. Sometimes you just need a break from your scenic water front abode to surround yourself with concrete and metal. No judgement. We kinda get it. Our “car condo” is Mill Street. And we are using it for exactly the same purpose everyone is here.

A place for a few of your favorite things.

Camaraderie among family and friends.

Somewhere that doesn’t need to be kept up like a home but is waiting for you with everything you need.

Personally, I like this car condo trend. It gives back the indoor garage storage for single family homes and gets the stereotypical “man cave” out of the basement and into the light of day. Between a professionally designed model condo and the club house on the grounds I have a little more to say on the Woodfield Motor Condos that I will save for another post.

But until then I hope you will take in a car show or two and if you have a passion for entertaining around a stunning piece of american muscle- that you can create your own car condo “home away from home!”