Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com 40-STORY RESORT-STYLE TOWER GREENLIT IN GUATEMALA Real Estate Developments Izabal won approval from local authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, to build the 40-story, 136-unit Torre Manatí on the Inner Bay of Santo Tomás de Castilla in Izabal, Guatemala, Soy 502 reports. Torre Manatí is set to rise in Puerto Barrio, described by developers as "a high-impact area for commerce, industry and tourism" with ties to the Caribbean, the U.S. and Europe. Becoming the tallest tower in the country, the US$40-million project will include private amenities such as a top-floor pool, gym and white sand beach. Additionally, shops, a bar, a marina and a helipad are on the drawing board. A construction timeframe was not provided. Image credit: courtesy of Real Estate Development Izabal To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/n

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THYSSENKRUPP CANADA UPGRADES OFFERINGS AT ONTARIO CENTER thyssenkrupp Elevator Canada has upgraded its Scarborough, Ontario, Engineering Centre into an International Technical Services (ITS) Centre offering third-party maintenance support, the company announced on October 1. The former Engineering Centre, at 270 Finchdene Square, underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion in 2019, offering new installation and modernization engineering, Canadian board repair, elevator simulators, a showroom and a warehouse. That expansion also brought construction and modernization teams, as well as a branch office, under one roof. As the new ITS, it adds field engineering support; specialized support services; additional training and documentation; diagnostic and specialty tools; board and drive repair; and new product support and collaboration, for thyssenkrupp as well as competitors' elevators a

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com TOSHIBA DESTINATION-CONTROL SYSTEM WINS iF DESIGN AWARD Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp.’s FLOORNAVI was one of only 75 submissions out of 7,298 worldwide to win a Gold iF Design award. The destination-control system allows passengers to specify destination floors before boarding elevators, reducing travel times, especially during peak use. Its ring-shaped icons and chest-high operations are designed for comfortable use. Based in Hanover, Germany, the nonprofit iF Design Foundation has built a reputation for its annual awards program that has grown to more than 6,000 entries annually, judged by a jury of more than 60 design experts worldwide. "Toshiba has designed an efficient elevator (destination) control system in line with universal design to cater to the needs of able and disabled people,” the jury said in a statement. “[Artificial intelligence] allows floor destin

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com CHENNAI, INDIA, METRO INSTALLS FOOT CONTROLS FOR LIFTS The metro rail system in Chennai, India, is installing foot-operated controls for elevators at the 32 stations of the 45-km line, the Times of India reported on September 28. In addition, foot-operated elevators are being installed at the nine stations of the metro's 9-km Phase 1 expansion, which will link part of North Chennai to the system and is scheduled to open by the end of 2020. The project was initiated at 20 stations, including the busiest, Alandur, Central and Airport. The remaining 12 were expected to be finished by the end of this week. The new mechanisms allow commuters using elevators to tap a button on the floor of the lift with their feet, rather than touch a button that could harbor pathogens. Image credit: courtesy of Chennai Metro To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/n

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OTIS GLOBAL PROGRAM TO MENTOR STEM STUDENTS Otis has launched a new global corporate social responsibility program focused on advancing youth science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and inclusive mobility solutions, the company announced on September 29. Made to Move Communities™ is an annual global student challenge designed to inspire creative, STEM-based solutions for mobility issues. Students in the program's first year will focus on mobility solutions for communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will explore solutions that enhance connectivity and productivity, education, employment, medical care and social services. These solutions could, for example, address challenges with public transportation or mobility access for those with disabilities. Made to Move Communities will join with community and business partners to build a diverse talent

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com JOURNAL REPORTS ON CORONAVIRUS/ELEVATORS STUDY The professional journal Indoor Air published a report on September 23 detailing an investigation into how long aerosol droplets of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 persist in hospital elevators and offered specific measures to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease. The investigators, funded by the University of Amsterdam, found that it took 12-18 min for the number of particles to diminish 100-fold, both in medium-sized and large elevator cars, but that time was reduced significantly when the doors were left open. As a result of the tests, the authors offered suggestions like adjusting the doors so they stay open longer and mechanically altering ventilation systems. Rather than exhausting air through the top of the car into the hoistway (as is the case in many hospital elevators), the proposed alteration draws in fresh, fil

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com ZHA-DESIGNED TOWER IN HONG KONG PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS Contactless elevators and a smart building-management system that create a contactless path "from street to workstation" are only the start of the remarkable features being incorporated into a 190-m-tall, 36-story office tower designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) in Hong Kong, Architects' Journal reports. Under construction in the Financial District on a former parking facility, the building is being built of high-tensile steel and will have a curved glass façade inspired by a Bauhinia bud (the Hong Kong orchid tree). Henderson Land Development paid the equivalent of approximately US$2.79 billion for the plot — a record-breaking amount — at 2 Murray Road. Connecting with adjacent public gardens and parks, the structure will feature a raised base sheltering courtyards and gardens, a Sky Garden outdoor recreational space and

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com KONE TO SUPPLY ELEVATORS FOR LUXURY TOWER IN DUBAI KONE has won an order to supply 17 elevators to B4 Grande, a new high-end residential tower in Dubai, the company announced on September 24. The 287-m, 72-story skyscraper under construction in the Opera Downtown District will offer 882 luxury apartments, plus amenities and retail outlets. The apartment floorplans range from one to four bedrooms, with large penthouses on the highest floors. KONE will deliver 13 MiniSpace™, three MonoSpace® and one KONE Motala™ elevators. The company will also supply its Infotainment screen and E-Link™ system, a facility-management tool. B4 Grande is being developed by Emaar Properties and is scheduled for completion in 2022. The main contractor is China State Construction, and architectural services are being provided by WSP. Image credit: courtesy of KONE To read the full transcript of today's

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 ENTRY DEADLINE OCTOBER 16 The deadline for submissions to the ELEVATOR WORLD Project of the Year Awards 2021 is October 16. The contest recognizes excellence in vertical, horizontal and inclined transportation. Winners in each of nine categories will receive an award and be recognized in a feature story in the January 2021 issue. Entries can be made in “Elevators, New Construction”; “Elevators, Modernization”; “Escalators, New Construction”; “Escalators, Modernization”; “Moving Walks”; “Inclined Elevators”; “Platform Lifts & Stairway Chairlifts”; “Private-Residence Elevators”; and “Special-Purpose Lifts.” The contest is open for projects that have been completed within the past two years, and both text and photos must be submitted, along with a completed entry form. To download the form and obtain more information, visit https://www.elevatorworld.com/poy/ T

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES FOR PHILADELPHIA MEGADEVELOPMENT Construction timelines for a trio of 28-, 34- and 14-story towers making up the Schuylkill Yards megadevelopment in West Philadelphia's University City have been released, Philadelphia YIMBY reports. The first building scheduled to break ground is a 28-story tower at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Aiming to break ground this fall and be complete in 2023, the structure will feature a "sleek gray façade" that will stand out on the Philadelphia skyline. After it's completed, the tallest, 34-story tower is set to break ground at 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, with the third, 14-story tower expected to break ground around the same time. Brandywine Realty Trust is the developer of the project, with 6 million ft2 of residential, commercial, retail, green and laboratory spaces on the drawing board. Image credit: courtesy of SHoP

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com KONE TOUCHLESS ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR TORONTO DEVELOPMENT KONE plans to provide six MonoSpace® 500 elevators with the Elevator Call touchless solution to Distrikt Trailside, a residential development taking shape in Oakville, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. It represents the Canadian debut of Elevator Call, a cloud-based solution allowing users to call an elevator with their smartphones. Also including two-story suites, Distrikt Trailside consists of two 10-story condo towers with more than 600,000 ft2. Construction is expected to start in 2021. Distrikt Developments and Fiera Real Estate are the owners, and Kirkor Architects and Planners provided design services. Bluescape is handling construction management. Distrikt Developments Director of Construction Leonard Scomparin said utilizing KONE Elevator Call will "deliver a safer experience to all of our purchasers." Image credit: court

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OFFICE SUPERTALL ONE VANDERBILT OPENS AMID PANDEMIC One Vanderbilt, a supertall office tower in Midtown Manhattan with a Schindler vertical-transportation system, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 14, according to the building's designer, architects Kohn Pedersen Fox. The building, developed by SL Green and Hines, stands 1,401 ft tall, making it the tallest office tower in Midtown. It brings 1.7 million ft2 of Class-A office space, floor-to-ceiling windows and a 30,000-ft2 amenity floor including garden terraces and a dining facility. The development includes an underground connection to Grand Central Station and a 14,000-ft2 pedestrian plaza on Vanderbilt Avenue. A report by Reuters notes that the building's opening comes with the city still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many office staffers still working from home. The US$3.3-billi

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com BUFFALO’S TALLEST TOWER, WITH SCHINDLER VT, OPENS TO TENANT The tallest building in Buffalo, New York, at 38 stories, Seneca One opened its doors to apartment residents several days ago following a US$150-million renovation by Washington, D.C.-based Douglas Development Corp., WKBW reports. In addition to remote-access and amenities including a food-and-beverage center and a fitness center, the work included updating the tower's 27-elevator vertical-transportation (VT) system, which Douglas Development told ELEVATOR WORLD was handled by Schindler. The property was built as an office building in 1970, and Douglas bought it out of foreclosure in 2016. Seneca One now has M&T Bank as its anchor tenant, with at least five other commercial tenants signed on. Apartments — a first for the 50-year-old building — total 115. Image credit: courtesy of Douglas Development To read the full tr

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com BIG ESCALATOR ORDER SOLIDIFIES HYUNDAI’S CHINESE PRESENCE An order for 229 escalators at 19 stations along Line 2 of the subway in Harbin extends Hyundai Elevator’s presence in China, particularly in Heilongjiang Province, where it is the largest subway escalator provider, Business Korea reports. Hyundai Elevator announced the order, equivalent to roughly US$241 million, on August 31. In 2017, the OEM won a contract to supply 52 escalators to five stations along Harbin Subway Line and, the following year, an order for 66 escalators in five stations on Line 1, bringing the total number of Hyundai units serving the system to nearly 350. The source observes the latest order will likely put Hyundai Elevator in an advantageous position in the second and third bidding for Subway Line 3, scheduled at the end of this year and early next year, respectively. Those orders would total approxi

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com PLANNED TOWER GOES FROM 12 TO 40 STORIES IN RALEIGH The City Council in Raleigh, North Carolina, unanimously approved a rezoning request from Zimmer Development Corp. that takes a proposed downtown building from 12 to 40 stories, The News&Observer reports. Located on a vacant 1.5-acre plot at 506 Capital Boulevard near the intersection of Peace Street, the proposed tower now allows for up to 1,466 residential units and 1.7 million ft2. Landon Zimmer of Zimmer Development said his family hopes to land a big corporate tenant to fill most of the building, with retail on the lower level. Should a "corporate whale" fail to materialize, the mix could include multifamily units, office space and a hotel. The Zimmer property is directly across from the growing Smoky Hollow development from Kane Realty. Image credit: courtesy of Zimmer Development Co. To read the full transcript of today

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC US, INC., FACES DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT LAWSUIT Attorneys with San Anselmo, California-based Civil Rights Law Group filed a lawsuit on behalf of four black mechanics against their employer, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., based in Cypress, California, on September 4. Filed in the Superior Court of the State of California and demanding a jury trial, the lawsuit also identifies several Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. supervisors and employees. It alleges racial harassment and discrimination dating back to 2016, and contends supervisors and human resources representatives were aware of incidents and behaviors — said to have taken place on jobsites throughout the San Francisco Bay Area — and failed to address them. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Michael Corbo said in a statement

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com CP AUTOMATION ACQUIRES MAGNETEK ELEVATOR UK CP Automation, headquartered in Scunthorpe, U.K., has acquired Magnetek Elevator UK from Columbus McKinnon Corp., CP announced. CP specializes in supply, repair and field services for industrial electronic AC drives, resistors, DC drives, programmable logic controllers and inverters, while Magnetek supplies AC and DC drives for geared and gearless lift applications. CP Automation said the acquisition promises to establish it as a leading supplier of elevator drives. It will also ensure customer service for Magnetek customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Australia; and New Zealand. Magnetek UK's Bedford office will be integrated into CP, which is retaining Magnetek sales and support staff. CP and Magnetek have worked together "on countless previous projects in the elevator and escalator sector," CP Director Tony Young said, and

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com MITSUBISHI ELEVATOR ORDER FOR LAOS GOVERNMENT BUILDING MELCO Elevator Lao Sole Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) Co., Ltd., won an order to supply 14 elevators and four escalators to the new National Assembly building under construction in Vientiane, Laos, Mitsubishi Electric announced. Replacing an assembly building built in 1991, the new, 35,000-m2 building will have six floors, including one below ground. It will be served by NEXIEZ-MR elevators and Z type escalators. Mitsubishi Electric observes the equipment is energy efficient, with the elevators using a gearless traction machine with a permanent-magnet motor and the escalators equipped with an user-detection sensor that means the units operate only when being used. Image credit: submitted by Mitsubishi Electric To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscrib

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THE ELLIES 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED ELEVATOR WORLD has announced the winners of The Ellies 2020, the third annual awards program honoring companies nominated by and voted on by the industry. From big OEMs to independents known for their areas of expertise — plus a few repeat winners — this year’s honorees reflect the diverse and specialized talent found in our industry. EW would like to congratulate all winners and thank the nominees and the industry for making The Ellies 2020 a success. Stay tuned for more on The Ellies 2021, including updated categories and how to make a nomination. 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 KONE TO SUPPLY 90 VT UNITS FOR SINGAPORE'S PUNGGOL DISTRICT KONE has won an order for 90 vertical-transportation (VT) units for the Punggol Digital District in Singapore, the company announced on September 1. The Punggol development is a 50-ha smart, sustainable project meant to be a testbed for new concepts in living, working and delivering services. It will be home to a business park, residences, a market village and the Singapore Institute of Technology, and will include buildings up to 55 m tall, or 12 stories. The Punggol District is being developed by JTC and designed by WOHA Architects. KONE is supplying the business park with 40 MonoSpace® and 22 MiniSpace™ elevators, and 28 TravelMaster™ TM110 escalators. The VT system will be equipped with the company's destination control system and E-Link™ facility management tool. Image credit: courtesy of JTC To read the full tran