Car owners who have really expensive cars and need a place to park them can soon buy a “car condo” at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved re-zoning a 33-acre lot for the project, which will offer 51 car condominiums in the first phase of the development, with 54 more in a second phase.
“It’s a community,” said Ray Roll, director of development for Neyer Properties, which is developing the project. “We’re not going to allow this to be a garage. This is not a maintenance shop.”
The idea is that owners of collectible cars need a place to keep them, he said.
Many of the car owners will take their cars out on weekends to show them off, and may attend events at Barber Motorsports Park, which features an Indy racing track.
The car condos will be protected with a security fence and gated entrance.
“There’s a lot more that happens at Barber than Indy racing,” said Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn. “The track is a very active facility.”
The city invested heavily in luring the Barber Motorsports Park, which is located next to Bass Pro Shop, adjacent to Leeds.
“I think this is really going to work well,” O’Quinn said of the car condos. “It’s an exciting project.”
Roll said there’s no limitation on what type of car may be housed in the car condos. “They can store any kind of car they want,” he said.
Considering that the condos will be pricey, it will mostly likely attract investors who own expensive cars. Interior units start at $399,500. Corner units start at $480,000.
Southpace Properties, which will be selling the units, describes it this way: “Torque Motor Suites, a groundbreaking development by Neyer Properties tailored for car enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in luxury, security, and convenience. Nestled adjacent to the prestigious Barber Motorsports Park, Torque Motor Suites offers unparalleled proximity to the racetrack, events, and amenities, redefining the automotive lifestyle experience in the greater Birmingham area.”
Each condo comes with a “stylish 400-square foot mezzanine,” Southpace said, adding that the car condos should be ready by mid-2025.
“Welcome to Torque Motor Suites, a haven for car enthusiasts seeking to store their prized possessions and pursue their passions,” Southpace said of the concept.
“Offering units available for individual ownership, Torque provides a secure gated community where owners have the freedom to customize their spaces to fit their specific needs and individual tastes. Whether you’re a member of the local or national car racing community or a dedicated car collector, Torque Motor Suites offers the perfect solution to secure your prized possessions while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.”
