ML - Boston Common

BOSMXJ12

Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.

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lifts double the storage space. Automatic THE MANSION OF MUSCLE the goods • Kegerator on rolling castors, plus cabinetry to hide it dozen or so European and American muscle cars he owned as possible, but he had only 1,000 square feet on which to build it. (Among Wetterau's tro- phies are rare vintage Ferraris—investment-grade collectibles he co-owns with his brother, Mark—as well as a 1976 Mini Cooper, a 2006 Custom Shelby GT500 Mustang, and a rare 1970 SS Chevelle LS6.) And while Wetterau no longer rebuilds cars, the space had to be equipped to allow for the minor repairs and detailing he still likes to do. Wettereau's passion for collecting started during childhood. "I was a gearhead at an early age," he says, noting that he bought his first car, a 1972 Camaro SS, with lawn-mowing money and promptly took the thing apart in order to rebuild it. Later in life, after he and his brother launched the beer distributorship, they began collecting in earnest. W • AV system by Audio Concepts and cabinetry by Colling • Car lifts by Wilmington- based Garage Equipment Corp. • Steel mechanics cabinets by Lista When Wetterau decided to build a space for the cars, he connected with Greg Colling of Merrimack Design Associates, whose work includes designs for specialty buildings such as carriage houses, indoor pool rooms, and cabanas for discern- ing homeowners. Colling's expertise with traditional building design and classic craftsmanship convinced Wetterau he was the man for the job. He asked Colling to create the structure in the Victorian style of his main house, and Colling delivered with a 19th-century shingle-style design. Because of the limited space, Colling decided to go vertical, maximizing the usable area by including two automatic car lifts, which allowed for storage of up to five cars, with the option of adding a third lift for six cars. The room is capped off with industrial ceiling fans, pendant lights, and a cupola outfitted with low-maintenance LED lights. Outside, a custom copper and titanium weathervane—a perfect replica of Wetterau's 1967 Corvette—crowns the top of the cupola. replica of Wettrau's 1967 Corvette glory—a custom The crowning Colling added a stain-resistant epoxy-coated floor for easy cleaning and maintenance. An energy-efficient heat pump and super-insulated walls allow Wetterau to work in cold months. Colling also specified black steel cabinets to conceal a central vacuum unit, compressor, air and water hoses, and a hot water heater. For entertaining, the room is outfitted with an inte- grated audio-visual system, which includes two television screens and a sound system, also concealed within cabinets. Wetterau's final request? A Kegerator was installed, so he could always have beer on tap. "Ultimately," says Wetterau, "it's a place where I can admire the collection, hang with my buddies, and drink a beer." bostoncommon-magazine.com 105 A graceful Victorian houses automatic lifts and other modern amenities, even a Kegerator. hen Conrad Wetterau, a Weston resident and beer dis- tributorship owner, decided to design a garage for his sports car collection, there were a few specific require- ments. He needed a structure to hold as many of the

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