Autostrada: Westport’s Exciting New Classic Car & Event Space Club

Westport’s most recent, most novel thought — a private users club/vintage car storage spot/event house — hides in simple sight.

You go it each day. You have no plan it is there.

As well poor. You’re missing a thing pretty awesome.

Gioel and Ronni Molinari.

Autostrada opened, softly but smoothly, in January. Since then it’s hosted a number of personal functions (most not long ago, a gathering for Land Rover fans).

Its 10,000 square ft are filling little by little with uncommon Porsches, Ferraris and Alfa Romeos.

Customers gather for coffee, discussion, or just to lounge on very relaxed home furniture with like-minded collectors, a several methods from equally a whole bar and those people beloved cars.

It all takes place at the previous Steinway showroom, amongst Fire Office headquarters and the Connecticut Humane Society, on the curve just right before Compo Shopping Middle.

Autostrada, on the web page of the previous Steinway showroom.

Gioel Molinari and his wife Ronni have lovingly made a distinctive venture. He’s a tech entrepreneur she’s an architect. They’ve lived in Westport for 10 yrs. Very quietly — suitable underneath our noses — they’ve designed a multi-practical room that brings together his passions for autos, foods and beverages, and her beautiful eye for structure.

The idea — a area for collectors to retail outlet their automobiles and acquire casually, although doubling as a distinctive spot for rewards, social and corporate activities — took root many a long time back.

The undertaking was delayed two times: to start with when the first associates dropped out, then by COVID and supply chain issues — but the gut renovation of the piano showroom is well worth the hold out.

The gleaming car storage area, with a ability of 22, presents 24-hour entry (and a carry/detailing/ washing spot).

A catering kitchen serves as a staging area for On the Marc, the hugely regarded team that operates solely with Autostrada. The similar crew is on hand for each and every event.

Private functions variety from a couple of men and women in the lounge only, to up to 150 people with dancing on the classic auto ground.

The Piston Foundation held an function not long ago at Autostrada.

“Most automobile storage spaces experience like a garage. Or they’re in a fewer than appealing area,” Gioel (pronounced “Joel”) suggests. “This is a spot you feel extremely snug coming to. It is like sitting in your residing space, with your auto, calming and talking to your pals about your passions.”

“Comfortable” is an understatement. Ronni’s welcoming lighting, glass doorways and specifically intended floor enhance the “mid-century aptitude, contemporary Milan lounge” truly feel of the furnishings.

“You really feel at dwelling, but you are transported past Fairfield County,” she claims. “There are masculine aspects, but it is not a male cave. It appeals to anyone who appreciates lovely spaces.”

Autostrada’s lounge overlooks the car or truck ground.

Those people people today do not have to possess classic or exceptional vehicles. Social memberships are accessible also.

There are 40 or so users correct now. Autostrada may perhaps go to 75, but not outside of.

Members appreciate weekly happy several hours. Coffee is obtainable weekdays. Every month distinctive events focus on distinctive themes, like meals, wine, bourbon or barbecue.

Autostrada also functions a entire bar.

Autostrada implies “highway” in Italian. Gioel was born in New Haven, but grew up in Milan.

“The Put up Road” seems much less glamorous than “Autostrada.” And visitors confident does not stream efficiently past Westport’s Autostrada.

But Gioel and Ronni Molinari have made a thing new, one of a kind and specific, hidden in the coronary heart of their adopted hometown.