“We’ve been and looked at them all over the US and various places, including a couple of ones in Australia, and it’s a concept that’s very well established as more and more people move into apartments which have limited parking.”
Simon (left) and Harry Hull, the father and son co-founders of The Garage Club.
Auckland is already home to a similar concept, The Matchbox, which opened in mid-2025 and was founded by Mark Francis and Zlatko Filipchich.
Hull said The Matchbox had done a good job since opening, but his facility will be bespoke and purpose-built.
“It’s different right from the start, and our offering is different too. Half of our customers will purchase a 25-year licence to occupy, the same as mariners in New Zealand.
“Those people will be more your long-term enthusiast. Whereas other people will want monthly options or discounted annual plans. We will be offering the full gamut.”
The project has been in the works for the last five years according to Hull, with the Clovernook Rd, Newmarket site purchased three years ago off from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The Garage Club will be home to 160 vehicles, with 140 vehicles housed in a high-density stacker system and another 20 across five four-car private garages.
Hull said the project’s timeline was delayed because of the site’s restrictions, caused by its position under the motorway, with the team taking time to finalise its design, which extends below the existing infrastructure.
He said the project was yet to get resource consent but their hope is to open early next year.
The plan
The ground level will centre on an expansive warehouse space with entrances to the private garages, all supported by a dedicated detailing bay.
The building will be climate controlled, with relative humidity to be maintained between 55-60% year-round, supported by a positive pressure system designed to minimise dust exposure.
The site will also incorporate reinforced concrete construction, advanced fire protection systems and 24-hour security monitoring.
A concierge-led service model will help support managed vehicle movements, allowing customers to organise cars ahead of time, while trickle charging and EV charging facilities located outside the building will support customers with electric vehicles.
The Garage Club also plans to offer private members an upper-level clubroom, bar and meeting room, complemented by a calendar of events that includes driving tours and private experiences.
Jonathan Walker Architects worked on the designs for the building’s exterior, with Jack McKinney Architects designing the interior.
Private members will also gain access to an upper-level clubroom, bar and meeting room.
Hull said the market for the project was strong, noting how large New Zealand’s car community is.
“New Zealand is really full of car enthusiasts. This is anecdotal but I know it to be true, but we have more collectibles per capita than anywhere else in the world.
“I think it’s partly because of our roads, they’re roads you need to drive.
“We don’t have two-lane motorways going everywhere. You need a car that performs, that will handle it.”
Hull is particularly excited about the community the club will foster, noting how he and his son have organised group drives across New Zealand to share their passion with other enthusiasts.
Hull confirmed that it will cost roughly $13m to set up, including construction and the fit-out of car-stackers.
“I’ve put a fair bit in already, and I’m putting some more in, but there’s a very good founders offer. We’re talking to a number of people now.
“We’re looking for collectors and investors, but mostly just like-minded car enthusiasts.
“I just think we’re we’re going to take it to the next level, and that’s certainly what we aspire to do.”
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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