“Luxury” car condos could soon be rolling into Gilberts – Shaw Local

Developers are close to getting approval from village board members to build a “luxury” car condominium complex with retail and clubhouse space in Gilberts.

Bespoke Motor Union describes the condominium as a “country club for car enthusiasts” that offers people space to store their luxury cars. The plan calls for 156 “highly customizable” units in 10 two-story buildings.

Car condos are a relatively new trend in the area, with other developers working on similar properties in Crystal Lake, Barrington, and South Barrington. The Trail Blazers’ Iron Gate Motor Condominiums have been operating in Naperville since 2015. A Crystal Lake development called Redline Motor Condominiums, owned by Mayor Haig Halebrian, was approved by the City Council in August. The developer aims to build 25 two-story garage condos at 7225 Teckler Blvd.

The Gilberts Village Board unanimously approved a preliminary plan for the local proposal last week. This comes after the local planning commission voted 3-1 against the approval recommendation last month. Bespoke Motor Union plans to return to the village board for final plan approval in January, according to company owner Cliff Cadle.

Developers have applied for a special use permit for the project, which is planned for a 19-acre site at the north corner of Tyrell Road and Columbia Lane in Kane County. This undeveloped land is currently being developed into a commercial area with adjacent single-family homes and a park.

The plan includes a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse with food service, a bar and possibly pickleball courts and locker rooms with showers. The retail space is open to the public and could house businesses associated with food service companies or facilities such as custom-order dealerships or vehicle service and repair shops.

If approved, the developer plans to build in four phases, with the first phase containing 26 units and a retail building to begin construction in the spring and be completed in the fall. The owner-occupied units are expected to sell in the mid-$300,000s, Kadle said.

The rows of willow trees that outline the site will remain, and Cadle has no intention of tearing them down to make way for construction, he said.

Mr. Cadle founded his company about three years ago and has been planning and finding suitable locations for his first condominium community. He said he wants to support and unite the automotive community.

“I’m a car guy, and this all started with me needing more storage space for my own vehicles,” he said. “What I figured out is that if there’s a storage problem and there’s nothing in the northwest suburbs, there must be other people who need it.”

Some residents have expressed concerns about the project at previous village meetings, including its proximity to surrounding residential areas and Town Center Park. Some worried that the project would increase traffic, noise and air pollution.

Gilbert’s Village President Guy Zambetti said other residents and business owners also expressed support for the development.

“The night of the board meeting we heard from a variety of businesses and residents saying, ‘We want this,'” he said.

Zambetti said he is looking forward to adding something unique to the village and potentially attracting other businesses thanks to the car condos.

“I’m really happy that people seem to be drawn to this,” he said. “Some people are getting attention.”