Luxparque developer to take concept beyond Orlando

(Orlando Business Journal - May 18, 2007, by Anjali Fluker)

Luxparque's computerized system that will shuffle cars into and out of vertically stacked parking spaces may be among the first in the United States, but the technology is decades old.

Switzerland-based Swiss Park Inc., contracted by Luxparque in March, has 20 years of experience, fitting about 40 buildings in Europe with the technology, says Pedro Fernandez, managing director of San Francisco-based Swiss Park USA Inc.

Luxparque would be Swiss Park's introduction into the United States, though, and Fernandez says the company may even be interested in joining Kinchla's dream of more such developments. Now, it's just a matter of getting the public more familiar with the product.

"We seek projects that have a parking problem and [Kinchla is] looking to build where they have unbuildable lots," Fernandez says. "The idea is to change the mentality of people and make them realize cars can be stored where it's mechanized and safe."