Long before he was commanding the silver screen in blockbuster fantasy trilogies and rubbing shoulders with elite automotive designers, actor Orlando Bloom was simply trying to navigate the bustling streets of London in a forest-green Volkswagen Golf GT. Having paid his dues through rigorous training at drama and art schools in the British capital, Bloom spent his early days going from one nerve-wracking audition to the next, relying on a humble hatchback that he had purchased for a modest 160 pounds sterling.
That modest vehicular existence changed dramatically by his mid-20s. Following his breakthrough international success starring in the original Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Bloom decided it was time to appropriately reward himself for his hard work. His first major automotive splurge was not a flashy modern supercar, but rather a classic piece of German engineering: a timeless, deep black 1973 Porsche 911S.
The transition from a battered, budget hatchback to a vintage air-cooled legend was not merely an upgrade in horsepower or status; it was an introduction to a completely different philosophy of driving. The impetus for the purchase was also partially hastened by an unfortunate incident involving his faithful Volkswagen. As Bloom recalled during a recent meeting in a private room at the exclusive Zero Bond social club, nestled in Manhattan’s vibrant NoHo neighborhood, his trusty hatchback had unfortunately met an untimely end while parked on the street. Somebody had carelessly driven down the entire side of it, leaving the vehicle beyond practical repair and nudging the young actor toward his automotive destiny.
When Bloom finally got behind the wheel of the vintage 911, the core philosophy of the Porsche brand immediately resonated with him. For the actor, driving a great car is much more than a simple means of transportation from one point to another; it is an experience and a genuine moment of meditation. It invokes a distinct feeling of clarity, which Bloom attributes directly to the palpable passion of the people behind the design and manufacturing of the vehicles.
That foundational appreciation for the brand eventually led to a much deeper partnership. Years later, when the opportunity arose for Bloom to build his ultimate dream car—an Underberg green over Cohiba brown 911 GT3 Touring—at Porsche’s exclusive Sonderwunsch customization workshop in Stuttgart, conversations naturally turned toward how he could further integrate himself with the marque. That collaborative dialogue culminated roughly two years ago when Bloom officially became an ambassador for Porsche Design, the automaker’s wholly owned consultancy firm responsible for a diverse array of luxury goods, ranging from iconic timepieces, premium luggage, and sunglasses to high-end residential real estate developments where owners can drive their vehicles directly into their apartments.
Porsche Design’s latest commercial venture takes this innovative concept of automotive integration and lifestyle storage to an entirely new level. Partnering with the Newgard Development Group, the brand has introduced the Porsche Design Concours, an ambitious nationwide series of self-contained architectural units designed specifically for automotive collectors. These specialized facilities provide owners with dedicated spaces to house, display, and commune with their prized vehicles while simultaneously fostering a tight-knit community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Volker Strotmeier, a member of the Porsche Lifestyle Executive Board, notes that the initiative completely redefines the traditional concept of a garage. According to Strotmeier, the goal is to create a design-led destination where exceptional automobiles, world-class architecture, and extraordinary lifestyle experiences seamlessly converge to cultivate a truly special community for serious car collectors.
The physical structures, each meticulously planned to house 22 individual units, are deliberately oriented around the social dimensions of automotive ownership. Harvey Hernandez, the founder and chief executive officer of Newgard, emphasizes that the vision extends far beyond mere storage. To foster this community atmosphere, each location will feature high-end amenities including an on-site restaurant and a spa, alongside curated driving experiences, engaging community events, and state-of-the-art racing simulators.
Significantly, unlike other prominent members-only automotive destinations such as the Thermal Club in Southern California or the Concours Club in South Florida, the upcoming Porsche Design Concours properties will not incorporate a private racetrack. Instead, the focus remains squarely on design, socialization, curation, and the appreciation of automotive artistry.
The initial rollout for the project includes two planned locations situated in Dallas, Texas, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Interestingly, while the properties will strongly reflect the sophisticated ethos of the Porsche Design philosophy, owning a Porsche is not a strict prerequisite for purchasing a unit. Hernandez points out that great collections are rarely defined by a single marque, expressing a desire for each studio to truly reflect the unique personality, taste, and varied passions of its respective owner.
Over the years, Bloom’s personal garage has seen its fair share of automotive masterpieces come and go. He admits with a hint of regret that several highly desirable classic cars have slipped through his fingers over time, including a pristine 1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 and a Series 1 Jaguar E-Type. Nevertheless, he still proudly maintains his foundational 1973 Porsche 911S, his custom GT3 Touring, and a select few other cherished vehicles. While he occasionally fantasizes about adding a Porsche 911 ST to his stable—a model he fondly describes as "the last of the action heroes"—he remains unconvinced that investing in an off-site luxury automotive condo is the right path for his personal lifestyle.
Reflecting on his relationship with material possessions and automobiles, Bloom recognizes the changing nature of how he views luxury. While he acknowledges the undeniable value of having proper, secure storage for exceptional machinery, his perspective on ownership has evolved with time. Luxury, in his view, is not necessarily about accumulating more things; rather, true luxury is having less of something better. Consequently, he prefers to keep his small stable of cars close at hand. With four vehicles currently in his possession, he makes a concerted effort to drive them regularly and extract maximum enjoyment from each machine.
Concluding his thoughts with characteristic humor, Bloom points out a fundamental biological limitation that governs even the most enthusiastic and well-funded car collectors in the world. No matter how expansive a garage or how vast a collection one manages to acquire, human anatomy ultimately dictates the true limit of automotive enjoyment. As Bloom succinctly puts it, you can only drive one car at a time because, ultimately, you have only got one seat.
