26 Jul Garage condo project in NW Wichita moves into Phase 2
After a popular first phase, northwest Wichita’s Sandlot Garage Condos is growing.
The business, which launched last year, centers on individuals being able to buy (instead of rent) long-term storage space — that could turn into much more if the user desires.
Units can be customized to add a mezzanine, kitchenette, epoxy flooring and more. A person can make it their go-to place to watch college football, focus on their art or work on a car.
“Basically we deliver them a shell, and they can do whatever they want to inside — whether it’s a man-cave, a she-shed, the sky’s basically the limit,” said Paul Suellentrop, who is part of Sandlot Group LLC, which owns the property at 7454 W. 33rd St. North just north of Ridge Road and 29th St.
All 17 units involved in Phase 1 were delivered by fall 2021, and now the Sandlot Group (which includes Paul’s brother, Brian) has Phase 2 construction off the ground.
Units come in three sizes (1,000, 1,250 and 1,375 square feet), but buyers can purchase more than one and combine them into a single space without dealing with walls in between.
The new phase, which is due to be completed toward the end of this year, has several reservations in place but still has units available.
Suellentrop said the first phase coming together during the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic drove interest as people were trying to entertain themselves.
“The demand over there (Phase 1) was very good. The demand over here (Phase 2) has slowed but is decent,” Suellentrop said. “I think it has a lot to do with the sentiment on the economy at this point.”
The price for a unit with windows ranges from $109,640 to $150,755, while a unit without windows goes from $106,940 to $147,042.
Each unit comes with 200-amp electric service, air conditioning and heating, are plumbed for a bathroom and have wiring for phone, cable and internet. There are also common bathrooms with a shower and security measures on the property (gates, fencing, cameras) for all buyers’ benefit.
Dirt has been moving on the site, and Suellentrop said after steel arrives next week, structures will start going up for this next phase that mirrors the approach to Phase 1 but will include 21 units.
According to city/county records, three commercial building permits at $1.4 million apiece, were issued earlier this month for the Phase 2 work.
Suellentrop Construction (which includes Paul, Brian and their father, Mark) is the general contractor for Phase 2 with 3ten Architecture as the architect. Evans Building Co. served as contractor and architect on Phase 1.
Landmark Commercial Real Estate’s Don Piros has been the broker throughout the project.
Suellentrop said the team is keeping an especially close eye on costs in Phase 2. Sandlot Group has also worked to navigate supply chain issues.
“We were ordering things in January, February, March and April just to try to get them here at the right time,” he said.
There are things buyers can’t do in their units. Due to zoning, a person can’t live there. And, while an individual can use the space to help with their business, they can’t set-up a retail shop within it.
But Suellentrop said he’s seen others have fun with the units that can also make sense for city residents looking for a unique storage option.
“Their house is full. Their three-car garage is full. They’re not necessarily on land where they can put up a building on their own,” he said. “So this is kind of that solution, a suburban solution.”
No Comments