OAK BROOK MOTOR CLUB
Deep local roots drive the vision
The proposed Oak Brook Motor Club promises a landmark destination for automotive enthusiasts, extending the Village’s private club tradition. Just as polo helped establish Oak Brook’s identity, this automotive country club would give collectors a distinctive place to celebrate their passion without leaving the Village.
The project is homegrown. Founder Joe Bakhos’s family moved to Oak Brook in 1979, and their ties span three generations. His parents live in the Midwest Club; Joe and his wife are raising their daughters in Trinity Lakes. All three have attended District 53 schools.
Bakhos says, “As someone who grew up in Oak Brook and is now raising my own family here, it was important to me that the Oak Brook Motor Club feel like it truly belongs in this community. Oak Brook has a unique history rooted in polo, country clubs, and a tradition of bringing people together around shared interests. Our goal is to build on that legacy by creating a private, thoughtfully designed gathering place for automotive enthusiasts and collectors that feels distinctly Oak Brook.”
Plans include 60 individually owned motor suites for secure vehicle storage, display, and enjoyment, with customizable interiors and mezzanine lounges. A proposed 5,000-square-foot clubhouse would offer golf and Formula 1 simulators, a lounge, conference center, and outdoor pavilion. Prairie architecture, polo-inspired design, landscaped courtyards, private drives and a controlled entrance would encourage automotive appreciation and social connection.
The project will enhance destination appeal and generate an estimated $14.4 million in added assessed value, $100,000 in annual Village sales tax revenue and up to $250,000 in one-time permit fees. Schools and other taxing bodies would receive several hundred thousand dollars annually without added residential demand for schools or parks. The result pairs automotive passion with investment in Oak Brook’s future.
Trustee Michael Manzo shared, “Joe Bakhos has approached this project as a true community partner, working closely with the Village and nearby homeowners’ associations to address concerns and build broad support. His willingness to listen, adapt and support license plate reader cameras and measures to address speeding reflects a shared commitment to public safety. It was a pleasure to work with Joe in shaping a project that can move forward with the community’s confidence.”
