The 20 on Hawthorne building, developed by Gerding Edlen, is the first of several Portland-area semi-automated parking system installations for
Harding Steel. The company’s proprietary CarMatrix system allowed the developer to accommodate 29 cars in an area that would have otherwise accommodated only 10.
“While we are proud of the many green features and European-inspired design of this property, we are especially pleased to have found a way to minimize its footprint with Harding Steel’s parking system,” says Damin Tarlow, Gerding Edlen Development.
The CarMatrix operates on a platform-based grid system. The grade level platforms move laterally while the upper and lower platforms move vertically to allow the needed vehicle to be accessed at grade level. For each grouping of platforms, there will be a vacant space at grade level for the upper and lower vehicles to be accessed. This type of semi-automated system eliminates the need for attended or valet parking operators and is gaining traction nationwide as a cost-effective solution to parking challenges for developers. Moreover, the unique CarMatrix system is custom configured to meet the specific requirements of each project.
At the time of installation, the semi-automated parking system at The 20 on Hawthorne was the largest of its type in the country. Harding Steel’s CarMatrix ‘puzzle parking’ system at The 20 stores 29 cars on “trays” that move up and down and side to side, whereby one car is stored below grade, one car at grade and one car above grade. The system is operated by using a magnetic swipe card, whereby users have the ability to park their own cars. Residents simply swipe the card and their car is made available at ground level with an average wait time of 30 to 40 seconds.