Certain retail locations combine a large department store with an integrated, multi-level vehicle storage facility. This design contrasts with the traditional model of surface-level parking lots surrounding the building. The structure often places customer parking either above or below the shopping area, maximizing land use in areas with limited space.
This configuration offers several advantages, including improved land efficiency, especially in urban environments or densely populated suburban areas where real estate costs are high. It also can enhance the customer experience by providing covered parking, shielding vehicles from the elements and potentially shortening the walking distance to the store entrance. Historically, this design has been adopted to address the challenges of limited space and the need for ample customer parking.