Luxury condominiums for cars and other collectibles

Massive, destructive storms and a population that loves its cars and other collectibles are prompting developers to create luxury condominiums just for the items that residents cherish. In Bonita Springs, Forager Real Estate Partners is building The Paddock at Bonita Foundry featuring 37 luxury warehouse condos. In Naples, The Lutgert Companies is creating Naples Auto Vault that will have 24 units in phase one and two additional phases to follow.

“They are very versatile, and they are very practical,” said Conor McBroom, president and founder of Forager Real Estate Partners, a Toronto-based private equity real estate developer, investor and asset management company specializing in industrial and flex-commercial properties in Ontario and Southwest Florida. “Collectors and motor enthusiasts come to mind. It can be art collections, antiques, wine, marine, recreational vehicles. We have a mezzanine that can be adjusted, so we can fit a class A RV. It is capable of running the whole gamut.”

The biggest difference between these car and collectibles condos and storage units is that people buy the place instead of renting space. They can design it to their needs and enjoy the luxury.

“There are multiple size options available to suit your specific needs, ensuring you can find the perfect space for your personal preferences,” said Erik Lutgert, vice president of Naples-based The Lutgert Companies. “We offer the flexibility to combine two units, allowing you to create a larger, customized space tailored to your specific needs. Each unit will be cable and internet ready, with Wi-Fi available at the owner’s expense to ensure you stay connected in your customized space. Each condominium comes equipped with air conditioning, a private bathroom, an LED lighting package, ample electrical outlets, an electric garage door, natural light, covered pedestrian doors, epoxy-finished floors and much more to meet your needs and enhance your experience.”

“This is a lot different than the month-to-month storage units that are out there. It is an owned asset,” McBroom added.

McBroom and Lutgert both stressed the need for having a safe place for special items.

“Our units are engineered above FEMA’s designated flood levels, ensuring they are resilient against storm surges and extreme weather conditions,” Lutgert stated. “They’re built to withstand 160 mph winds, providing peace of mind during hurricane season.”

“Our recent experience here with hurricane events, Irma and Ian and two near misses last fall, it is all of a sudden in people’s psyche,” McBroom added. “People are having those conversations. This is designed precisely to respond to some of those challenges. We are building above FEMA flood zones.”

That is one of the reasons why Bob Clifford has purchased a unit at Naples Auto Vault.

“After the hurricane (Irma) I lost two cars,” Clifford explained. “The idea of having additional storage for vehicles and other things is important for me now. Them building this new product accommodates a need I have for additional storage.”

Clifford also likes that he can design his unit.

“I am going to make a little home office out of it,” he said about the mezzanine area. “The plan is to make it really nice and build it out. I am excited about that.”

Clifford praised the quality of Lutgert products for his decision to buy at Naples Auto Vault. He is also looking forward to the security and the community feeling.

“Those complexes have become like a real community, so I am looking forward to getting to know the other owners and the camaraderie that comes along with that,” he concluded.

Lutgert said Naples was the right place for this type of business.

“Living in a coastal community brings inherent challenges for collectors of cars, art and other items, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, storm surge, humidity, salt air, limited storage and protected parking in homes and condominiums,” he stated. “We recognized the need for auto storage and realized that our customers will combine this with life’s other precious memories as a fulfillment of their Naples lifestyle. It’s a natural extension of our focus in creating luxury experiences for our customers. With our ongoing commitment for utmost quality, we felt it was fitting to apply our passion for excellence to this project to meet the needs of clientele at the highest standard of luxury and elegance.”

McBroom said Bonita Springs was the perfect place for his company to build.

“Being in the location that it is in, the direction of growth, this is an asset that can be expected to appreciate over time,” he explained. “We have been looking specifically for infill land in Collier and Lee counties and Bonita Foundry is a 10-acre development. The Paddock is gated within the project, but it will be part of something greater. It is close to the downtown area and Old 41 where you have a great base of business and a great base of affluent neighborhoods and it is the halfway point between Naples and Fort Myers. In Bonita the growth is not only going to come, but it is ongoing.”

Both developers tout all the special features of their car condos. Naples Auto Vault has a mechanical system that includes automatic exhaust ventilation for safety, a three-zone AC system, a dehumidifier and an electrical system with a 200-amp panel design to accommodate a car charger. Each vault is constructed with concrete block exterior and interior demising walls and a precast concrete roof structure. The facility has an amenity center with a conference room, lounge area, restrooms, a reception desk and a large rooftop deck with an outdoor bar, grill, TV and fire pit. This space is designed for community events, member use and association meetings.

In Bonita, each unit will feature precast concrete construction built to FEMA standards above the flood plain, with oversized drive-in doors, HVAC, fiber internet and a customizable mezzanine.

Both developers say that units can be customized before or after construction. Both are gated and have security features.

Construction will start on The Paddock at the Bonita Foundry early next year and be ready for customers in early 2027. Units will range from 2,070 to 2,190 square feet. Introductory pricing begins at $842,000 per unit.

Construction has just begun on phase one of Naples Auto Vault and completion is expected in the third quarter of 2026. Total interior square footage ranges from 913 to 2,161 square feet. Prices range from $775,000 to $1,445,000.

“I believe it is a trend,” Lutgert concluded. “There is an influx of people moving to Southwest Florida embracing the Naples lifestyle, many of whom are affluent or have sold businesses and are retiring. Most Neapolitans have limited space to store vehicles in existing residences whether it be single-family homes or condominiums and clients wanted to protect vehicles from inclement weather.”

“It is definitely on trend now,” McBroom concluded. “You are hearing about a lot of these projects. I think this is going to be a niche within the Southwest Florida development space. When you look at the climate, the growing population of seasonal residents — there is a very robust demand for this. It didn’t exist years ago, and it is catching on.”