Porsche is widely recognized for its state-of-the-art and high-performance vehicles.
And soon, Porsche Centre Calgary will be recognized for its new state-of-the-art and high-performance facility.
According to Craig Shostak, general manager of Porsche Centre Calgary, the company has plans to build a 36,000 sq. ft. outlet in Meadows Mile.
Meadows Mile is a high-end auto mall that sits on the ridge overlooking Deerfoot Meadows, and is at the confluence of Blackfoot Trail and Heritage Drive in the city’s southeast. Planned dealers include Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini.
“The plans are at city hall right now and hopefully we have approval by the end of 2014 to put shovels in the ground,” Shostak says.
It’s taken some time to reach this point.
The Shostak family originally purchased South Centre Fine Cars – Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen — in 1995. They moved the franchise to 5512 Macleod Trail, and set about selling and servicing the three brands.
“When we bought it, Audi hadn’t launched the A4 and Porsche hadn’t released the Boxster,” Shostak says. “Those two cars came out a year later, and they were game-changers for both manufacturers.”
Increasing Audi sales necessitated a standalone facility, and in 2002 the Shostaks opened Glenmore Audi, and a second store in 2008 with Royal Oak Audi – leaving Porsche and Volkswagen on Macleod Trail.
The new facility will feature a basement with room for 50 vehicles, storage and four detail bays – all accessible via car lifts. The mezzanine level houses executive offices, accounting department, training room and more storage. If all goes to plan, customers and employees should be able to enjoy the new store by mid-2016.
Handout, Driving
Just as Audi left the nest, Volkswagen was next late in 2012 when South Centre Volkswagen relocated to a site visible from Deerfoot Trail, but accessed by 24 St. and 114 Ave. S.E.
With Porsche left in the Macleod Trail facility, Shostak says it was time to upgrade.
“But it just didn’t make economic sense to fix up the old facility,” he says. “We started looking about five years ago for sites, and we’d even had some plans drawn up. Initially, we were going to share the Volkswagen site, and we also looked up in the Royal Oak Auto Mall.
“But then we heard about Meadows Mile, and it couldn’t be a better fit.”
Shostak says the building will take advantage of its position on the ridge, with the red Porsche letters on the back (east) side of the structure likely being visible from traffic driving along the busy Deerfoot Trail.
The front (west) side of the facility faces Blackfoot Trail, and there’ll be plenty of glass to allow natural light to flood the 21-vehicle showroom.
Still on the ground floor, there will be 18 service bays, including one with an alignment rack. Currently, Porsche Centre Calgary is operating with nine service bays.
The new facility will feature a basement with room for 50 vehicles, storage and four detail bays – all accessible via car lifts. The mezzanine level houses executive offices, accounting department, training room and more storage. If all goes to plan, customers and employees should be able to enjoy the new store by mid-2016.
“Porsche is forecasting all the way into 2018,” Shostak says. “And, they say sales will probably double from where we are today.
“When Porsche launched the family-friendly Cayenne (SUV in 2003)) our sales doubled at that point, and they’ve been growing ever since. And, with the new Macan (CUV launched here in May 2014), we’re seeing even more families coming in looking for something a bit more sporty to drive on a daily basis.”
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have an auto related item to share for the column or What’s Next? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca. Visit his website at gregwilliams.ca
