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This company wants to build a $1.5M luxury condo for your car

AutoHouse, which bills itself as the “ultimate private showcase and members-only club,” is planning on constructing a condo building in the city’s downtown whose only tenants are luxury cars and motorcycles. (Facebook)

Some people keep their model car collections on display in their homes, but if you’re an ultra-wealthy gearhead living in Miami, you buy a separate house specifically designed to show off your vehicles – at least, that's what one new company is hoping.

AutoHouse, which bills itself as the “ultimate private showcase and members-only club,” is planning on constructing a condo building in the city’s downtown whose only tenants are luxury cars and motorcycles.

The seven-storey project will house 45 units, or "AutoSuites," with prices starting at $350,000 – or roughly the average cost of a four-bedroom home in Miami – for a display space designed for two cars, and reaching as high as $1.5 million for 2,200 square feet, according to CNN Money.

Units can also be combined, or buyers can take over entire floors, which would accommodate up to 55 cars.

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These glorified parking garages will also offer around-the-clock security with a web-based surveillance system allowing owners to check on their cars at any time, climate control, charging stations and resistance to hurricanes.

The AutoSuites range from $350,000 to as high as $1.5 million for 2,200 square feet.
The AutoSuites range from $350,000 to as high as $1.5 million for 2,200 square feet.

Co-founder Louis Birdman told CNN Money that the project is perfect for Miami because it is a “very car-centric town.”

“People are into the car culture, there are a lot of luxury cars sold in south Florida.” (The title of supercar capital of North America, however, belongs to Vancouver.)

Birdman told CNN Money that they began selling units last month, and while no contracts have been inked, some prospective buyers have put down a deposit to reserve a spot.

He expects there to be enough interest to put shovels in the ground midway through 2017 and to have it completed by the following year.

However, AutoHouse won’t commit to construction until they’ve garnered a “sufficient level of interest.”

But Birdman said the project would be filling a void in Miami because the city is home to many luxury vehicle owners who are also frequent travellers.

“A lot of people who owns cars like this are looking for alternative solutions on where to put vehicles safely when they leave so they aren’t exposed to the elements,” he told CNN Money.

In addition to its luxury display rooms, the building will also house a “members-only club” – with lounges and a wraparound roof deck with dining areas – on the penthouse level.

“There will be a space for owners and members to get together with like-minded people,” said Birdman.

He also said there are plans to install a racing simulator, as well as a store for wine and cigars.

AutoHouse's penthouse would feature lounges and a wraparound roof deck with dining areas 
AutoHouse's penthouse would feature lounges and a wraparound roof deck with dining areas 

A detail shop is also slated for the ground floor.