Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Where do you store a million-dollar car in a storm?
Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach to safeguard many
SUNNY ISLES BEACH — As millions of South Floridians prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma, shelter for their cars is a key item on the checklist.
Insurance companies suggest parking vehicles close to buildings for protection against high winds and to avoid parking under trees.
But where does one park a $15 million Pagani Zonda, or a $5 million Ferrari? One option: The 60-floor Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach.
Prestige Imports, a luxury car dealership in North Miami Beach, will be safeguarding 10 of its most valuable vehicles in Porsche Design Tower’s unused units, in addition to an unsold penthouse located on the 56th floor with the ability to store up to 11 vehicles.
The tower was built to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and has the advantage of its unique ability to lift cars from ground level, said Porsche Design Tower developer Gil Dezer.
A first-of-its-kind auto elevator lift system, dubbed the “Dezervator” and named after Dezer himself, is a high-tech hydraulic elevator that smoothly transports owner’s cars to private sky garages adjacent to their condo units.
The tower contains three such lifts. The system has received worldwide publicity, having been prominently featured on financial news networks and TV programs touting the lifestyles of the wealthy.
To ensure that there is no flooding, Dezer brought in additional drainage pumps and employed a team to work 24 hours per day. The group is dedicated to keeping the Dezervator’s pit dry.
The unsold penthouse unit, currently on the market for $32.5 million, is identical to another penthouse in the tower that sold for $25 million on March 31 —