By Bob Carskadon
As apartment buildings and residential towers keep popping up for humans in town, now the cars of St. Pete are getting their own condos, too. Motocave, a luxury car condo service, is bringing 43 vehicular storage units to its new complex at 2501 Gandy Boulevard.
In fact, the air conditioned and customizable units are available for boats, motorhomes, and just about any motorized vehicle, too. The new experiential storage concept is the brainchild of partners DDA Development, Mosk Development Company and Commercial Partners Realty, Inc., and already units are more than 50 percent sold out, a reflection of the demand for the service, as nearly every other open car storage facility in the Tampa Bay is completely full
What separates Motocave is its “car condos” approach, with units ranging in size from 918-1,591 square feet that are customizable and can include everything from kitchens and wet bars to showers or a second floor mezzanine, in addition to the bathrooms that come standard in each. The 55,000 square foot facility will also include a sizable community clubhouse available for events and relaxation. Construction began earlier this year and developers anticipate an opening date in early 2024.
The concept comes at an appropriate time for the region, as the boom not only in population, but also in population density, has led to further scarcity of permanent and secure parking availability, particularly for those living in downtown areas or in one of the regions many new and upcoming towers. The 3.7-acre property was selected for its accessibility to the greater Tampa Bay region, situated along Gandy Blvd and next to I-275. The land will be guarded on all sides by fencing and an automatic gate, providing strong security for luxury cars.
Each condo includes a bathroom, and while living inside the units is prohibited, owners are free to bring in furniture and decorations to set up their condo however they please. The massive club room will also be an excellent amenity for members, as an interior designer is creating an event and hangout space with TVs, pool, games, and full setup for events, which members can rent out.
Bob Carskadon is a journalist living in Florida.
