Car Part Time has debuted as a new venue for automotive culture in New York, fusing the functions of a licensed collector car dealer with the programming of a cultural hub.
Envisioned by Office of Tangible Space, the 2,000-square-foot interior features a rotating display of collectible automobiles within a raw concrete shell organized around six specific vehicle positions, a central bar, listening station, lounge, and glass-enclosed office.
A visual framework guides visitors through the open room, with its industrial quality softened by floor-to-ceiling mustard linen curtains. Pendant lights from the SUNY Albany campus, originally designed in 1962 by Edward Durell Stone, are suspended above each parking location, giving each car its own spotlight.
A hub for gathering
An existing concrete structural column anchors the social center of Car Part Time. On one side, a gathering space is defined by two custom millwork pieces that form a listening station and a bar highlighted by a linear pendant.
Adjacent to this, the listening station—curated in partnership with Hudson Valley record shop Freakout Spot—provides a musical backdrop for community gathering, accented by a custom aluminum table lamp.
On the other side of the central column is an open lounge with a sectional, lounge chairs, and custom bar cart crafted as a tribute to architect Alvar Aalto. A coffee table subtly nods to a classic car grille.
Behind the lounge, an enclosed office framed in reeded glass and black metal allows for a quiet work area. Along the exterior wall, a large garage door provides vehicle access while allowing the showroom to transform for indoor-outdoor gatherings.
Intentional materiality at Car Part Time
Throughout the project, the material palette echoes the craftsmanship and sensuality of classic cars without leaning into overt thematic clichés. Avocatus quartzite injects a vibrant green tone into the bar and bathroom areas, paired with sage inlays, walnut accents, cognac leather, and subtle aluminum details. Custom pull handles and a cotter-pin locking system also serve as light nods to automotive hardware.
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