Reclaiming the City: How Stak Mobility Solves The Urban Parking and EV Charging Challenges

Urban developers have faced a grueling trade-off: sacrifice valuable leasable square footage to satisfy rigid parking mandates, or risk project viability by pursuing costly offsite leases.

As the transition to electric vehicles accelerates, this tension has only intensified. Developers are now tasked with not only finding space for cars but integrating complex EV charging infrastructure into already cramped footprints.

Stak Mobility is shifting the parking paradigm from horizontal to vertical.

"We are transforming how diverse markets—from the historic streets of a city like Pittsburgh to the luxury corridors of places like Beverly Hills—approach urban density and sustainability," Stak Mobility CEO Diallo Powell said..

The Vertical Advantage: More Than Just Parking

The core of Stak’s innovation is the EV Carousel system. By deploying vertical, automated parking, Stak allows developers to reclaim thousands of square feet of buildable land. This isn't just about convenience; it is about the fundamental economics of real estate.

When parking is compressed, the "highest and best use" of the land is unlocked. Whether it is adding more residential units, expanding retail storefronts, or creating green space, the impact on a project's Net Present Value (NPV) is immediate and substantial.

Proven Impact Across Diverse Use Cases

Stak Mobility, a portfolio company of Brown and White Ventures, demonstrates versatility in its track record across asset classes:

1. Residential & Wellness: Preserving Community

At Enso Village, a 275-unit senior wellness community in Healdsburg, California, a conventional parking layout would have consumed 30,000 square feet, displacing 24 residential units. Stak deployed a "Carbarn" that provided 108 EV-ready spaces in just 3,500 square feet.

"Stak’s solution has made valet operations more efficient and dependable for our community," said Kelly Hall, the development's resident services manager. "Residents and employees experience quicker service with less congestion, and our staff can focus more on hospitality than managing vehicles or EV charging."

Stak Mobility's system also delivered 26,500 square feet of reclaimed space for housing and amenities, all while maintaining the campus's architectural aesthetic.

2. Mixed-Use: Unlocking Financing

In Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District, The Franklin faced a financing hurdle due to a lack of onsite parking. Stak converted four surface spaces into 30 vertical, EV-ready spots.

"Parking is the most challenging design component in urban areas, and with Stak’s solution, we were able to successfully move the project forward," said Rob Mullin of Penrose Advisors, who utilizes Stak's carousel.

This move didn't just satisfy lenders; it preserved 8,200 square feet of commercial space. The financial delta was stark: commercial space leases at $22/sf, while parking typically yields only $3/sf.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

For The Iris in Charleston, South Carolina, Stak integrated parking with the hotel’s booking system, Guesty. Guests reserve their spot with their room and are guided via the Stak app to their assigned carousel.

By fitting 29 spaces into 1,100 square feet, the hotel preserved eight guest rooms and key storefronts, turning a logistical challenge into a frictionless, high-end amenity.

"It has been a game changer," said Savannah Kiker, Guest Relations Manager at CHC Vacation Rentals, operater of The Iris. "Guests can seamlessly park and retrieve their cars without staff involvement, creating a premium, touchless experience that aligns perfectly with our brand."

4. Retail & Commercial

Navigating Regulation In Gainesville, Florida, Trulieve needed more parking to attract an anchor tenant but faced strict city screening requirements. Stak delivered 26 spaces in the footprint of four, using a hurricane-proof perimeter framework.

By partnering with the local Parks and Recreation Department to wrap the structure in community-created art, Stak turned a regulatory hurdle into a neighborhood landmark.

Future-Proofing the Urban Grid

The transition to EVs is no longer optional; it is a mandate. In Beverly Hills, CA, at 317 North Beverly, Stak is helping a developer meet a strict 40% EV charging requirement by integrating charging into every stall within a compact vertical system. This ensures the project is not only compliant today but scalable to 100% capacity as demand grows.

The financial incentives are equally compelling. In the 2930 Smallman project in Pittsburgh, the shift from an underground garage to Stak’s vertical system resulted in an $812,000 increase in NPV and $711,000 in net tax benefits through EV credits and accelerated depreciation.

Stak Mobility is proving that urban density and sustainable mobility are not mutually exclusive. By removing the "parking tax" on buildable land, Stak enables developers to build more housing, create more commercial opportunity, and accelerate the adoption of EVs—all without compromising the architectural integrity of our cities.