Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com NEW ELEVATOR EASES ACCESS TO ATHENS ACROPOLIS A new, wheelchair-accessible elevator was put into service at the Athens Acropolis on December 3, according to the Greek Reporter. With its glass cab, the elevator will allow riders to see nearly unobstructed views of Athens. The bottom landing sits at the ancient promenade on the north slope of the Acropolis, and riders are taken directly to the top of the hill. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the elevator is “an iconic project to the global community, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” He said the new elevator and new pathways make the Acropolis more accessible to those with mobility difficulties. The new inclined elevator replaces a failure-prone platform lift installed on the side of the hill in 2004. Image credit: by Eduart Bejko for Pixabay To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: e

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com JAPANESE TOWER PLAN DELAYED BY TELEWORK TREND A trend toward teleworking brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed construction of a 400-m-long, 30-story building in Nagoya, Japan, Japan Property Central reported in November. Planned by Nagoya Railroad, the mixed-use structure was originally slated to start construction in 2022, with completion anticipated in 2027, but the tentative plan now is to start construction in 2024. Its design and scale may also change, the source said. The area around Nagoya Station has seen high-rise office buildings proliferate since the 2000s, but vacancy, “even in prime buildings,” has noticeably increased since the start of the pandemic. In October, the vacancy rate stood at 4.08%. Image credit: (c) Meitetsu Group To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Pl

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com TOWERS, "GREEN DISTRICT" CENTRAL TO SEOUL VALLEY PLAN Architecture firm Henning Larsen recently released the design for Seoul Valley, a 360,600-m2 mixed-use development planned for the center of Seoul. With an aim to create a "vibrant green district" in the city center, Seoul Valley will combine office, retail, lodging and residential components within a public podium. The development will have three large towers subdivided “into smaller masses to reduce the sense of scale and create a village-like atmosphere between the spaces at ground level,” Henning Larsen said. The lowest level has gardens, terraces, and courtyards defining spaces between shops, cafés and restaurants. Seoul Valley is located in the city's flat center, between sprawling rail yards and an eight-lane freeway. Though centrally located, infrastructural barriers isolate the long-empty, 28,600-m2 site from its surro

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com TORONTO BUS STATION CLOSING TO MAKE WAY FOR HIGH RISE BlogTO reported on December 2 that Toronto's old Union Station bus terminal, which has been in operation since 2003, is closing for good on December 4 to make way for a high-rise commercial tower. A new bus terminal, set to open on December 5, is located at 81 Bay Street, while the old terminal, at 141 Bay Street, will be torn down for the construction of the CIBC Square development's north tower. The project's 49-story south tower is nearing completion, while the 50-story north tower is expected to be finished in 2024. The tower will stand atop a glass podium and hold offices and retail space. The two towers will be connected by an elevated urban park. Image credit: via BlogTO To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitche

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com IGV GROUP NAMES CAPPELLINI ART DIRECTOR Italy's IGV Group has named architect Giulio Cappellini art director. IGV CEO Michele Suria observed the company — which exports 85% of its products to more than 70 countries — distinguishes itself "by assigning the elevator not only a technical and functional role, but also an aesthetic one." Named one of the world's top design trendsetters by Time, Cappellini will reinforce this approach, according to IGV. "Innovating in this sector not only means creating a beautiful coating, but [also] transforming the use of the product — even if short — into a sensory experience," said Cappellini, who will lead discussions with architects on complex projects throughout the world. Image credit: courtesy of IGV Group To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCl

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR ACQUIRES FULL STAKE IN U.S. PARTNER thyssenkrupp Elevator has acquired a full stake in its joint-venture partner, Braun ThyssenKrupp Elevator, LLC, which has 68 employees and locations in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thyssenkrupp announced on December 1. Formerly Braun Elevator, the company has provided elevator service in the area for more than 60 years. Its relationship with thyssenkrupp dates to the 1950s, when it became a distributor for Rotary Lift Co. (later Dover Elevator Co., which was purchased by thyssenkrupp Elevator in 1998). In 2005, thyssenkrupp Elevator entered into a joint venture with Braun, which became the exclusive provider of the OEM's goods and services in the Madison and Milwaukee markets while still under local ownership and management. To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com FIVE VT COMPANIES INVITED TO BID ON LARGE U.K. PROJECT High Speed 2 (HS2) has invited five vertical-transportation (VT) firms to bid on a project to design, deliver and maintain nearly 300 low-energy lifts and escalators for four major stations on the rail project's first phase, Construction Enquirer reported on November 23. Asked to enter bids were Fujitec UK; KONE; Otis; Schindler; and thyssenkrupp Elevator UK. The firms will tender for two separate packages covering lifts and escalators worth GBP267 million (US$356 million) and GBP198 million (US$264 million), respectively. The project will involve installation of approximately 160 elevators and 130 escalators. The contract will include 20 years of maintenance. The longest escalators will be at Old Oak Common, in West London, which will take passengers 13.5 m between subsurface platforms and the concourse level. That station, w

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com EW PROJECT OF THE YEAR WINNERS ELEVATOR WORLD is pleased to report the winners of the 2021 Project of the Year contest. Winning projects, which will be featured in our January 2021 issue, are (with category): “Collins House” in Melbourne, Australia, submitted by Otis (Elevators, New Construction); “Whiteface Mountain Historic Elevator” in Wilmington, New York, submitted by Architectural Resources, P.C. (Elevators, Modernization); “Yitzchak Navon Train Station” in Jerusalem submitted by Otis (Escalators, New Construction); “Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway Systems” in Hong Kong submitted by Anlev Elex Elevator Ltd. (Escalators, Modernization); “Parc Turistico Observatorio 1873” in Mazatlán, Mexico, submitted by Hill Hiker, Inc. (Inclined Elevators); “Pasărea Măiastră Passenger Platform Lift” in Craiova, Romania, submitted by ELMAS SRL (Special-Purpose Lifts); “Stainless Ste

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com VDA DESCRIBES VT SYSTEM SERVING BROOKLYN SKYCRAPER Vertical-transportation (VT) consultancy VDA recently provided ELEVATOR WORLD with a detailed description of the elevator system serving the 51-story 11 Hoyt Street in Brooklyn, New York, architect Jeanne Gang's first NYC skyscraper and one of the tallest buildings in Brooklyn. The 481-unit condominium building is served by elevators manufactured by Fujitec. The system consists of three overhead-traction, gearless, 2500-lb-capacity, 1,000-ft/min elevators serving the lower floors; three overhead traction, gearless, 2500-lb-capacity, 1,200-ft/min elevators serving the higher floors; and a dedicated overhead traction, gearless, 3500-lb-capacity, 700-ft/min dedicated service elevator. VDA Senior Associate Brian Schaulewicz says the project followed successful completion of several projects in NYC, including the Hearst Tower, for 11 H

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com HITACHI WINS BIDS TO PROVIDE 250 ELEVATORS FOR NINE PROJECTS Hitachi Elevator (China) has won bids to provide 250 elevators and related services for nine projects with the Shum Yip Group, Hitachi announced on November 20. Shum Yip, wholly owned by Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, is a large enterprise group that focuses on real estate development, operation services, infrastructure construction, and emerging industry investment. It is currently developing, operating and managing 47 industrial parks throughout China. Hitachi, which has collaborated with Shum Yip on previous projects, will provide elevators for the nine projects, which include a variety of commercial structures such as Grade-A office buildings, technology offices, headquarters buildings, premium residential buildings, hotels and urban-renewal projects. Image credit: courtesy of PRNewsfoto To read the full

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com TOWER WITH HITACHI VT TOPS OUT IN SHENZHEN The Kaisa Finance & Technology Center, a 258-m-tall office tower in Shenzhen, China, has topped out, vertical-transportation (VT) provider Hitachi Elevator (China) reported on November 18. The project, which houses 130,000 m2 of space, will include Grade-A office space, a business center, a shared conference center, a staff canteen, a sky garden and a sky lobby. The tower has obtained pre-qualification environmental certifications. With 50 stories above ground and four below-grade levels, the Kaisa Finance & Technology Center will be served by 46 Hitachi escalators and elevators, including 12 high-speed elevators that can travel 5-8 m/s. The elevators are equipped with Hitachi's Destination Floor Reservation System, which incorporates data from system operation, passenger movement, building equipment and layout to provide intelligent elev

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com BORWEY APPOINTED NAESA INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James L. "Jim" Borwey, most recently manager of the Elevator, Boiler and Amusement Ride Bureau for the State of Iowa, has been appointed NAESA International executive director, NAESA President Christopher Shade announced on November 17. Filling a position held by Bob Shepherd, Borwey starts his job on January 1, 2021. From starting in the industry in South Dakota in 1978, Borwey "brings a wealth of field experience and code knowledge" to the organization, NAESA observed. From South Dakota, Borwey moved to California, where he continued to work in the field before progressing to associate, then senior associate, safety engineer for California's Division of Occupational Safety & Health Elevator Unit. In 2005, Borwey began work for the State of Iowa. Welcoming Borwey and thanking outgoing executive director Bob Shepherd for his

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com BIOFIAL HYDRAULICS ENTERS NEW MARKETS, ADDS TECHNOLOGY Thessaloniki, Greece-based Biofial Hydraulics recently entered two new markets and invested in new technology, and the company reports it is fully operational as it takes all necessary precautions related to the pandemic. Its hydraulic products are now in Latvia and the Dominican Republic. Describing Latvia as "one of the last pieces to add in our European export puzzle," Biofial has forged partnerships with two customers the country, which brings its export relationships to 56 countries worldwide. In the Dominican Republic, Biofial Hydraulics products have been installed in several lift systems. In the past year, the company also invested in two new pieces of production equipment: from Oxnard, California-based Haas, a four-axis cutting and processing center lathe with automatic bar feeder and from Schaumburg, Illinois-based B

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OTIS DOUBLE-DECK ELEVATORS FOR ALTO TOWER IN PARIS Otis' first SkyRise® double-deck elevators in France are part of a vertical-transportation (VT) system serving the new 150-m-tall Alto Tower, a 38-story office tower developed by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and La Défense Public Development Agency in Paris' La Défense business district. Designed by IF Architects, the structure has a small footprint at ground level that expands outward as it climbs. This, according to Otis France High-Rise Operation Manager Fabienne Blot, "presented a unique opportunity to showcase our SkyRise double-deck technology, effectively meeting the building's needs while maximizing leasable space." Otis observes its double-deck technology reduces elevator core space by up to 40%. Upon entering the building, passengers log their destinations using CompassPlus, which assigns them to the proper cabs. To ac

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OTIS VT SYSTEM FOR CHICAGO’S VISTA TOWER Otis tells ELEVATOR WORLD it installed 22 vertical-transportation (VT) units at Vista Tower, which, at 101 stories and 1,191 ft, is Chicago's third-tallest building. The system includes six SkyRise high-rise elevators (six with CompassPlus destination dispatch), 12 Gen2 elevators (10 with CompassPlus), two hydraulic elevators and two dumbwaiters. Of the SkyRise elevators, three travel the full height of the building at 1,600 ft/min. They are equipped with sway-sensing devices that automatically slow travel during high winds. CompassPlus is integrated with the building's security system to allow single-credential access between destinations. Located at 375 Wacker Drive at the mouth of the Chicago River, Vista Tower was designed by Jeanne Gang and developed by Magellan Group. Image credit: courtesy of Studio Gang To read the full transcri

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com KONE WINS 187-UNIT ORDER FOR XI'AN METRO LINE KONE has won an order to supply 187 elevators and escalators to Metro Line 9 in Northwest China’s Xi’an, the company announced on November 12. The 30.6-km-long Metro Line 9 will run southwest to northeast between Fangzhicheng and Qinhan Avenue via 15 stations, a route that will serve Lintong University City. The Xi’an Metro currently has five lines in use, and 10 more are to be added. Line 9 will serve about 850,000 passengers daily. Through its contract, KONE will deliver 152 TransitMaster™ escalators, along with 31 MonoSpace® and 4 MiniSpace™ elevators. The contract also includes two years of standard maintenance. KONE previously provided vertical transportation for Xi'an Metro Lines 1 and 4. The project is being developed by Xi'an China Railway Rail Transit Co., Ltd. No construction timeline was given. Image credit: courtesy of KO

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com AMERICAN ELEVATOR GROUP APPOINTS VP OF SERVICE OPERATIONS American Elevator Group (AEG) has appointed Chris Dlugolecki vice president (VP) of service operations, AEG President C. Mark Boelhouwer announced on November 10. Based in Connecticut, Dlugolecki will be fully involved with all AEG units. He is tasked with improving field service effectiveness, operational efficiency and overall customer satisfaction. Dlugolecki has more than 32 years' experience with Otis, most recently as a Singapore-based senior director with responsibility for field operations across the Asia-Pacific. He will assist AEG with further operational improvements as acquisitions and investments are announced. To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com NAEC NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR The Board of Directors (BoD) of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) has named Rená B. Cozart executive director and Amanda Smith deputy director, the association announced on November 9. With more than 20 years' experience in for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Cozart has served in numerous leadership roles, most recently as Southeast Region executive director for the American Cancer Society. Prior to that, Cozart was division vice president for the American Diabetes Foundation's South Region. She holds a marketing degree from Georgia State University. Smith, who has been with NAEC since 2007, was named deputy director. She most recently served as the association's director of education and finance, and previously oversaw special projects and credentialing. During her 13 years at NAEC, Smith worked directly wit

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OTIS NAMES CALLEJA PRESIDENT OF EMEA OPERATIONS Otis has named Bernardo Calleja president, Otis Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA), the company announced on November 9. Calleja has been interim Otis EMEA president since October 1, replacing Mark Eubanks, who left the company in September. An industrial engineer by training, Calleja began his career as an engineer at Otis' San Sebastián factory in 1989 and progressed through several leadership positions before being named president of Otis South Europe & Africa in 2018. He will continue to lead this subregion and maintain his role as the president of the board of directors of Zardoya Otis, a publicly traded subsidiary in Spain. In his new role, Calleja will report directly to Otis President and CEO Judy Marks. Image credit: by Lommes for Wikipedia To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Su

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com JERSEY CITY TOWER WITH THYSSENKRUPP UNITS NEARLY COMPLETE 88 Regent Street, a 32-story, mixed-use tower in Jersey City, New Jersey, has topped out ahead of anticipated completion in 2021, New York YIMBY reports. Developed by Regent Street, LLC and designed by Marchetto Higgins Stieve, the building will house nearly 400 rental apartments, 9,110 ft2 of retail and 5,595 ft2 of office space. At the intersection of Jersey Avenue and Regent Street, 88 Regent includes a 12-story podium that is now almost entirely covered in glass. Project architect Antonio Beltran tells ELEVATOR WORLD 88 Regent Street will be served by five thyssenkrupp elevators: two 700-ft/min, 34-stop, 3500-lb-capacity units; one 700 ft/min, 35-stop, 4000-lb-capacity unit; one 700 ft/min, 34-stop, 4500-lb capacity unit; and one 200 ft/min, eight-stop, 3500-lb capacity unit. Image credit: courtesy of Marchetto Higgin