Car Club and Storage Facility Proposed for Norwalk, Aiming to Build Community

NORWALK, Conn. — A proposed car club and storage facility could soon provide local automotive enthusiasts with a secure space to store and celebrate their vehicles. Norwalk Center LLC and The Automotive Collective have submitted a special permit application to the city, proposing to establish the club at 10 Norden Place.

Car storage facilities are becoming increasingly popular, offering a home for classic, vintage, specialty vehicles, and even every day cars that owners may not have space for at their residences. More than just storage, these clubs serve as community hubs, bringing together people who share a passion for automobiles.

Facility Layout: Coexisting with MTA

The Automotive Collective will be located on the second floor of the building at 10 Norden Place, while the first floor will be occupied by a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) facility, which was approved in July 2024 despite opposition from some East Norwalk residents. The MTA facility will serve as a base for engineers, managers, supervisors, and skilled tradespeople, primarily focused on railroad maintenance and operations.

Despite concerns from some in the community about the shared location, both facilities will function independently, with separate purposes and minimal disruption to surrounding neighborhoods.

Details of the Car Club Proposal

The car club would occupy 137,000 square feet of the existing vacant property, with 86,400 square feet dedicated to storing 420 privately owned cars. Unlike traditional storage yards or high-end dealerships, the vehicles will not be transported by tractor-trailers but rather driven in by their owners. Currently, over 120 people are on a waitlist for membership, with vehicles ranging from classic Volkswagens to pre-World War I Connecticut-made cars.

“This is not some luxury playground for the ultra-wealthy,” said Andrew Pistor, Founder of The Automotive Collective. “These are guys and women and families who want a community space to keep their classic car or their maybe Ferrari, but it’s usually older, usually not brand new. These are people that really don’t have room to store their cars anymore. They don’t want to get them out of the family.”

Beyond storage, the facility is designed to be a social space for car lovers. Plans include a 20,800-square-foot event space for gatherings like Formula One watch parties and a 5,300-square-foot lounge for members to connect. A café and a small restaurant will be available, with an option to serve drinks at events. There will also be 26,450-square-feet earmarked for a members’ club area.

“Creating community is what we’re aiming for,” Pistor said.

Membership prices will be competitive with other storage options in Connecticut, with some tiers starting at $195 per month—similar to what many apartment complexes charge for additional parking.

Addressing Community Concerns

Some residents have raised concerns about traffic, large transport trucks, and the exclusivity of the club. However, Pistor stressed that this is a space for everyday car lovers, not just the ultra-wealthy.

“We’re not going to have 18-wheelers rolling in and out,” Pistor said. “This is not a high-volume operation—on average, we expect about four or five cars a day checking in or out.” He explained that the club is not a showroom or dealership; they are a club for enthusiasts who want to store and enjoy their cars responsibly.

The club also aims to give back to the community. Organizers have proposed partnerships with local schools to support STEM programs, such as sponsoring high school teams for Formula One in Schools, a competition that teaches students engineering, marketing, and business skills through model car racing.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is working with the local high schools,” Pistor said. “We want to sponsor a Formula One in Schools team, provide the materials, and let students compete nationally and internationally. It’s a great way to get young people involved in STEM and car culture.”

To further alleviate concerns, Pistor emphasized that reckless driving will not be tolerated.

“If you’re peeling out of the parking lot, you’re out,” he said. “This is not a place for street racing.”

Next Steps

The special permit application is moving forward to a public hearing, where residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions. Before the hearing, the applicant must comply with city requirements, including posting a public notice sign on the property and notifying neighbors within 100 feet via certified mail.

More details will become available once the public hearing date is set.