I always feel a strange ache when I think about a historic building that must have gone through something so dramatic that the only way to save it was to turn it into a parking lot for cold, metal machines smelling of oil and rubber. It feels like a downward spiral that can only end one way — demolition.
But, thankfully, there are exceptions. One of the most remarkable examples is the Kent Automatic Garage.
A Skyscraper for Cars
In the early 20th century, during the booming rise of automobile culture, architects began designing skyscrapers not only for people, but for cars. In February 1929, the first such project appeared — the Kent Automatic Garage.
It featured 27 floors in Art Deco style, 1,000 parking spaces, and an automatic parking system. The architects behind the project were Jardine, Hill & Murdock, one of the most respected firms of their time.
The idea was truly futuristic: a driver would pull their car into a street-level elevator, step out, and from there the operator would take over. The car would be lifted to the desired floor, placed on a special trolley, and transported along rail tracks to an available parking spot at the push of a button.
The New York Times wrote:
“It is said that this is the first of 15 to 20 that will be built in different parts of the city.”
And in 1930, The New York Sun added:
“When a woman drives into the Kent Garage, her parking problems are over. She need not fear soiling the steering wheel or upholstery — no one else touches the automobile.”
What Happened Next
After World War II, cars became larger — longer, wider, and heavier. As a result, the capacity of automatic garages was cut nearly in half, and Kent Garage lost its efficiency.
The building was sold to Sofia Brothers Warehousing. The Sofia family converted it into a warehouse, while still keeping office spaces and art studios. Everyone noted the incredibly strong structure — it had been built with significant extra strength in mind.
In August 1983, the building changed ownership, and within a year it was transformed into a residential and commercial condominium — The Sofia. Thus, the former garage skyscraper became home to 94 apartments, and it remains so to this day.
📍 Address: The Sofia / 43 W 61st St, New York, NY 10023
