Tight site parking problem? Stack those cars!

With space becoming more scarce, developers are looking at unique parking solutions

Real estate development involves numerous challenges. One of those is parking.

For most urban projects, the challenge of providing adequate parking is like shoehorning a large foot into a small shoe. For some projects, parking becomes a deal killer.

Automated, stackable parking can be a solution. It’s an old idea. In fact, the use of elevators in multi-level garages predated ramps, which require larger building footprints and more complex structural solutions.

In 1921, the Detroit Electric Co. built a free-standing garage to serve its office complex. By 1928, the profit potential of parking had become apparent as evidenced by construction of the 1,000-space, elevator-operated Kent Garage in New York City.

Garden Street Garage

Photos courtesy of Cary Kopczynski & Co.
Cars in the Garden Street Garage in Hoboken, N.J., are moved between seven levels on vertical lifts at 420 feet per minute. The total volume of the garage is less than one-half that required for a conventional ramp-accessed facility.

In 1931, a pigeonhole facility was built as part of the 34-story Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati. That garage provided more than 400 spaces on 16 levels, accessed by elevator and reached via an eight-lane entry/exit plaza. The garage operated until 1978.

More recently, automated stackable parking was successfully used for the 324-car Garden Street Garage in Hoboken, N.J. High land costs and lack of available space drove the decision by the Hoboken Parking Authority, the owner, to use automated parking.

Closer to home, stacked parking is being used in several Seattle area projects.

The Bellora Condominiums uses single stacked parking lifts in eight stalls. The project includes four levels of subterranean parking, the first of which has a high ceiling. The owner took advantage of the extra height, which was required for other reasons, to provide stacked parking. Market acceptance has been favorable.

Cristalla, a high-end condominium under construction at Second and Lenora in Seattle, will also use this system. Thirty-six stalls have been designed to accept stacked parking.

Several types of automated stackable parking have become popular. One involves a circular buried silo. These have been used in Europe and Asia, with more installations planned.

In a silo stack, a car is lowered by a centrally located elevator and then mechanically moved into a selected stall around the perimeter of the silo. Another system uses elevators and movable tracks in square or rectangular configurations. This was the system selected for the Hoboken project.

Bellora Condominiums

The Bellora Condominiums in Seattle’s Belltown uses stackable parking at several locations where high ceilings create sufficient headroom.

For smaller installations, the single-car mechanical lift like those used at Bellora is becoming popular. The device is easy to install and can be located in any garage where structural capacity and headroom allow. One downside is that the lower car must be moved before the upper car can be loaded or unloaded. It is attractive for those with a less frequently used second car.

Automated stackable parking on a cost-per-stall basis tends to be more expensive. Although this may change as the technology develops, current costs are higher than for a conventional ramp-accessed parking structure.

Stacked parking makes the highest and best use of space and volume.

Stacked parking is advantageous even in limited areas. It typically requires less than two-thirds the area and less than one-half the volume of conventional parking. Thus, the trigger for its use is space and volume as opposed to cost.

The exception is for sites with very high land costs. For the Hoboken project, land costs were exceptionally high. The reduced land requirements created by the use of automated parking resulted in a significant savings in land costs and slight savings in the overall facility.

For projects where space and volume are at a premium or where sufficient land is unavailable, automated stackable parking can be an attractive solution.

Fast Equipment is the one-stop shop for all your Automotive Lift, Service Tools & Equipment needs in Florida. In addition, we provide vehicle garage parking solutions as well as quality automotive lifts and service equipment for residential and commercial establishments. Since 1979, we’re recognized as apart from the rest. This is because we have a constant clientele of repeat business and customer referrals through word-of-mouth advertising as well.

We are proud of our solid array of accredited commercial and residential customers. From homeowners and single-bay shops to high volume fortune 100 companies – all whom depend on us for their car storageautomotive lifts and service equipment needs. Not to mention, we keep them all working smoothly!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   customer-loyalty-we-love-our-customers-fast-equipment

SERVICES WE OFFER

Whether it’s a new construction project, business expansion or updating equipment – Fast Equipment guarantees quality service. We also pride ourselves on our ALI-certified technicians who place emphasis to go over and above to meet the satisfactory expectations of our clients. In any way possible, they have all have helped to establish a reputation for us as the finest service department in all of Florida!

Fast Equipment provides garage repair and car storage parking solutions to over 100 Automotive Dealerships and repair facilities including:

>  National Retail Super Centers

>  Large Fleet Service Centers

>  Government Agencies

>  Local City & State municipalities

>  Local Schools, Colleges & Universities

>  Sports Stadiums and Concert Arenas

>  Airports and Helipads

>  Police and Sheriff’s Departments

>  Hospitals, Institutions and Health Clinics

… and more!!!

WE INSTALL AND SERVICE EVERYTHING WE SELL!

Including:

FAST Service – 800-225-7234

Maybe you know what kind of lift and automotive equipment you’d prefer. We likely have the selection you need to get your custom garage up and running.

Consider our 4-post lifts, 2-post lifts, mid-rise car lifts or home garage lifts. Compare the features, benefits and specifications of our lifts to find the one that works for you.

Contact us anytime for a 10-minute consultation to discuss how to save on your car parking and storage solutions.

Please call us at 1-800-225-7234, or request a quote HERE.

areas-serviced-fast-equipment-florida-marcoisland-2post-4post-lift-custom-garage-vehicle-parking-classic-car-storage-4post
FLORIDA

Fast Equipment is the one-stop shop for all your Automotive Lift, Service Tools & Equipment needs in Florida. In addition, we provide vehicle garage parking solutions as well as quality automotive lifts and service equipment for residential and commercial establishments. Since 1979, we’re recognized as apart from the rest. This is because we have a constant clientele of repeat business and customer referrals through word-of-mouth advertising as well.

We are proud of our solid array of accredited commercial and residential customers. From homeowners and single-bay shops to high volume fortune 100 companies – all whom depend on us for their car storageautomotive lifts and service equipment needs. Not to mention, we keep them all working smoothly!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   customer-loyalty-we-love-our-customers-fast-equipment

SERVICES WE OFFER

Whether it’s a new construction project, business expansion or updating equipment – Fast Equipment guarantees quality service. We also pride ourselves on our ALI-certified technicians who place emphasis to go over and above to meet the satisfactory expectations of our clients. In any way possible, they have all have helped to establish a reputation for us as the finest service department in all of Florida!

Fast Equipment provides garage repair and car storage parking solutions to over 100 Automotive Dealerships and repair facilities including:

>  National Retail Super Centers

>  Large Fleet Service Centers

>  Government Agencies

>  Local City & State municipalities

>  Local Schools, Colleges & Universities

>  Sports Stadiums and Concert Arenas

>  Airports and Helipads

>  Police and Sheriff’s Departments

>  Hospitals, Institutions and Health Clinics

… and more!!!

WE INSTALL AND SERVICE EVERYTHING WE SELL!

Including:

FAST Service – 800-225-7234

Maybe you know what kind of lift and automotive equipment you’d prefer. We likely have the selection you need to get your custom garage up and running.

Consider our 4-post lifts, 2-post lifts, mid-rise car lifts or home garage lifts. Compare the features, benefits and specifications of our lifts to find the one that works for you.

Contact us anytime for a 10-minute consultation to discuss how to save on your car parking and storage solutions.

Please call us at 1-800-225-7234, or request a quote HERE.

areas-serviced-fast-equipment-florida-marcoisland-2post-4post-lift-custom-garage-vehicle-parking-classic-car-storage-4post
FLORIDA

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