When you’re developing in dense urban environments, every square foot of buildable space is gold. Whether you’re trying to maximize units in a multifamily project, squeeze in retail on a mixed-use lot, or simply get through permitting with fewer delays, parking can be one of the biggest hurdles — both logistically and financially.
That’s where Automated Parking Systems (APS) come in.
APS is transforming how forward-thinking developers approach urban construction. By reducing space requirements, lowering build-out costs, and even speeding up timelines, automated parking can create significant financial advantages from day one — and those benefits often compound throughout the life of the project.
Here are three powerful ways APS saves you money on your urban development.
1. Minimize Excavation & Site Preparation
One of the most immediate — and underestimated — costs of traditional parking structures is excavation.
Traditional multi-level garages often require:
Large foundations
Deep pits (especially for underground parking)
Extensive grading and retaining walls
Extra structural shoring and waterproofing in dense soils
These aren’t just expensive — they’re often time-consuming, require multiple, and introduce added risk to your development timeline.
APS Solves That
Because automated parking systems rely on compact, modular footprints, they require far less excavation and site prep. Many APS configurations can be built entirely above ground — or with a shallow pit structure instead of a full basement-style garage.
Fewer excavators. Fewer inspections. Less soil hauled off-site. And way fewer headaches when you hit rock or groundwater.
In numbers:
APS systems can reduce excavation costs by up to 40%, especially in markets with expensive labor or soil remediation challenges.
2. Reduce Structural & Material Costs
Steel and concrete — two of your most expensive line items in any structural build.
Traditional garages need:
Sloped ramps for ingress and egress
Wide drive aisles and turning radiuses
Additional structural support for heavy, spread-out loads
This means more steel, more rebar, and more time forming and pouring oversized decks that are basically “dead space” from a revenue standpoint.
With APS, You Build Smarter
APS removes the need for:
Ramps
Wide aisles
Staircases and elevators dedicated to the garage
Instead, vehicles are stacked vertically or shuttled mechanically into dense configurations — all with minimal footprint. This leads to a dramatic reduction in material usage.
Bonus:
Many developers find that the space saved using APS can be repurposed into additional units, leasable square footage, or amenities that generate long-term income.
In numbers:
APS can reduce total parking-related construction materials by 30–50%, depending on your structure and design constraints.
3. Speed Up Your Construction Timeline
Time is money — especially in construction.
Every week shaved off your timeline means:
Lower labor overhead
Reduced general conditions
Sooner lease-up or sale
Traditional garages often extend construction timelines due to:
Complex staging
Labor-intensive formwork and pours
Scheduling challenges (e.g. waiting on ramp framing before vertical work can continue)
APS Accelerates Your Build
APS modules are often pre-engineered and installed much faster than conventional parking decks. You don’t have to wait for multiple ramp levels to cure. Your team can focus on the core building much earlier.
In real projects, APS has been shown to shorten construction durations by 4 to 8 weeks, especially in projects where parking and building structure overlap.
That doesn’t just save you money — it gets you to market faster.
Bonus: Unlock Incentives & Entitlements
More cities are embracing smart growth and transit-oriented development (TOD) strategies — and APS is often a key piece of that puzzle.
What This Means for You:
Density Bonuses: In some zones, developers using APS can increase FAR or unit count.
Reduced Parking Minimums: APS may count for more “spaces” in city calculations.
Expedited Permitting: Some planning boards fast-track smart parking projects.
LEED & Green Building Credits: APS contributes to sustainability goals through reduced emissions and energy usage.
In short: cities like what APS offers. And you get rewarded.
From Theory to Practice
Let’s break down a simplified savings model:
Project Type: 6-story multifamily in a major urban center
Traditional Garage Cost Estimate:
Excavation: $800,000
Concrete/Ramps/Framing: $1.2M
Total: $2M
APS Equivalent:
Excavation (reduced): $400,000
APS System Installation: $950,000
Total: $1.35M
Immediate savings: $650,000
Additional benefit: Reclaimed 2,500 sq. ft. used for a ground-floor café = $3,500/month lease value
Curious About Your Potential Savings?
Not every site is the same. But our team can quickly evaluate your plans and provide a custom Building Analytics Report that outlines:
Site-specific space savings
Cost reduction opportunities
ROI timeline
Optional layout diagrams
Request Your Free Parking Design Review
Let’s uncover how APS can help you save — and build smarter — from the ground up.