Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com RECORD-BREAKING OBSERVATION DECK OPENS IN NYC Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere at 1,100 ft, was scheduled to open on March 11 on the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards office building on NYC’s far West Side, various news outlets, including CNN report. With a trapezoidal design by Kohn Pedersen Fox that tilts toward the Hudson River, the 101-story 30 Hudson Yards is part of Related/Oxford Properties Group’s 28-acre Hudson Yards megadevelopment. With adult ticket prices starting at US$38, the observation deck is surrounded by 3,000 ft2 of glass formed into 79 panels that lean out over the city, providing 360˚ views. In the center of the deck is a triangular glass section where those not averse to heights may stand to "watch the cars moving below like ants.” 30 Hudson Yards is served by an Otis vertical-transportation system that includes 54 SkyRis

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com SUPERTALL 50 HUDSON YARDS CONTINUES ASCENT IN NYC 50 Hudson Yards, designed by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, continues to ascend to its ultimate 1,011-ft pinnacle in the Hudson Yards megadevelopment on NYC’s far West Side, New York YIMBY reports. The final piece of the 28-acre Hudson Yards puzzle, 50 Hudson Yards will be a supertall, 2.9 million-ft2 commercial property developed by Oxford Properties Group and Mitsui Fudosan. The first building one sees when riding the escalators up from the Hudson Yards subway station, 50 Hudson Yards is rising between Kohn Pedersen Fox’s completed 30 Hudson Yards and the under-construction 66 Hudson Boulevard, also known as The Spiral, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. It will sit only 120 ft shy of The Edge — the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere — at 30 Hudson Yards. The attraction had been expected to open today. Completi

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com REFLECTING ON IEE EXPO 2020 IN MUMBAI Attendees and organizers reflected on the eighth edition of the International Elevator & Escalator Expo (IEE) Expo 2020 on February 27-29 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. Organizer Messe Frankfurt said more than 7,500 visitors attended the expo, at which components implementing modern technology took center stage. Representatives of major OEMs, government officials and the real estate industry — thanks to a partnership with the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India-Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry — were among attendees. Urbanization and infrastructure development are among VT business drivers in India, the world’s second-largest market after China. The show kicked off with component suppliers giving live demonstrations of technologies including a solar power generator for elevators, hydraulic passenge

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com EID, SCHINDLER TO CREATE CUSTOM CABS FOR HARD ROCK IN NYC Elevator Interior Design (EID) has been enlisted by Schindler to create custom elevator cabs for the 35-story Hard Rock Hotel under construction near Times Square at 159 West 48th Street in NYC, EID announced. Designed by Berg + Moss Architects and developed by Extell, the hotel will be served by elevators outfitted with EID's proprietary wall-panel system using woven wire from Cambridge Metals and laminated glass form McGrory Glass. Since the Schindler door-panel, return-panel and transom finishes are limited to satin stainless steel, EID will face the entire front cab walls with Forms + Surfaces' fused metal treated with fingerprint-resistant CeramilocTM. Image credit: courtesy of Hard Rock To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play |

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com ELEVATORS LEGISLATED IN FLORIDA CITY Commissioners in Winter Garden, Florida, unanimously approved amendments to the Florida Building Code, including one that requires elevators in certain multifamily structures, West Orange Times & Observer reports. Allowed under a state statute that permits local governments to enact requirements stricter than minimum state standards, Winter Garden now requires multifamily buildings that are at least two stories tall to have elevators. City leaders considered requiring elevators in buildings with 10 or more residences but scrapped that proposal because of its potential to stifle economic development in low-income neighborhoods where cost is an issue. Winter Garden Community Development Director Steve Pash said that “requiring elevators in a structure with 50 or fewer units essentially would make the project unaffordable for developers.” Image c

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com ELEVATOR MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA URGE NATIONAL STANDARDS In light of increased lift accidents as elevators become more prevalent across India, major vertical-transportation (VT) manufacturers are lobbying for national, uniform standards for design, construction and installation of VT equipment, The Economic Times reports. Although the National Building Code provides elevator installation guidelines, these are only recommended, observed industry veteran TAK Mathews, who says there were at least 28 elevator-related fatalities in 2019. A handful of states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka, have lift acts, and only 10 issue lift licenses, according to KONE India Managing Director Amit Gossain. thyssenkrupp Elevator India CEO Manish Mehan says further complexities are presented by major companies employing subcontractors that lack training programs, the number of small players in the

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com NEW RENDERINGS SHOW HOW 2 WTC WOULD FIT INTO NYC SKYLINE Four new renderings show how 2 World Trade Center (WTC), originally conceived by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, would fit into the NYC skyline, New York YIMBY reports. The British architect recently won a second chance at designing the supertall at 200 Greenwich Street from developer Silverstein Properties, and the renderings, by YIMBY and Instagram user Sinaevart, provide a look at what could become the second-tallest skyscraper in lower Manhattan after the 1,776-ft-tall One WTC. The first shows the four diamond-shaped structures on the crown pointing down toward the 9/11 Memorial, the second is a morning view from Midtown that obscures 3 WTC, the third is a sunset view from New York Harbor beyond the Statute of Liberty and the fourth is from Hudson Square that accentuates the original design’s dark centerline. A new d

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com THYSSENKRUPP ATLANTA TEST TOWER CHUGGING ALONG POST SALE Construction on thyssenkrupp Elevator’s 400-ft-tall test tower, part of its new North American headquarters known as the Innovation and Qualification Center (IQC) next to The Battery Atlanta, is chugging along after thyssenkrupp AG inked a deal to sell its elevator division to a consortium led by Advent, Cinvin and RAG foundation on February 27, Cobb Business Journal, a division of Marietta Daily Journal, reports. Approximately 130 construction workers are onsite now for a continuous concrete pour involving a moving framework that advances the structure more than 7 ft a day. Using a process known as slip form, the workers pour concrete 24/7, and aim to have the tower topped out in April. There will ultimately be up to 200 construction workers at the 4.8-acre IQC. thyssenkrupp Elevator spokesman Dennis Van Milligan tells the

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com NEW CHIEF INSPECTOR FOR ALABAMA Edward F. “Eddie” Wiggins is the new chief inspector of the Alabama Boiler and Elevator Inspections Division, ELEVATOR WORLD learned through the National Elevator Industry, Inc. Wiggins can be contacted at email or by phone: 334-956-7412. Other Alabama Department of Labor contacts are available at website. 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 THYSSENKRUPP SELLS ELEVATOR DIVISION thyssenkrupp agreed to sell its elevator division to a consortium of Advent, Cinven and RAG AG (Germany’s largest coal-mining corporation, also based in Essen) on February 27, Reuters reported. The final price was EUR17.2 billion (US$18.7 billion). After KONE withdrew its bid citing "terms and conditions that are in the best interest of its shareholders, employees and customers" amid reports of worldwide litigation from other OEMs (ELENET 826), the winning consortium prevailed against a rival consortium comprising Blackstone, Carlyle and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. thyssenkrupp said it would reinvest about EUR1.25 billion (US$1.37 billion) to take a stake in the unit, which would translate to a 7.3% share that would be used to partially fund its pension liabilities. These plus its debt total EUR16 billion (US$17.57 billion). thyss

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com CHICAGO PLANNERS OK PAIR OF MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS Chicago officials have approved plans for a pair of developments that would bring 920 residences, office space and hotel rooms to the New Fulton Market area, Block Club Chicago reports. The plans include a 49-story tower at 725 West Randolph Street, developed by Related Midwest, and a 33-story building at 1150 West Lake Street by LG Development. The West Randolph proposal had earlier called for a 58-story tower (ELENET 720), but the reduced-height building will include 370 apartments and a 240-room hotel, plus an adjacent 15-story office building. The towers would share a four-story podium with parking, retail and a gym. On West Lake Street, LG hopes to build a 33-story apartment tower and an 11-story office building, both offering ground-level retail. The residential building would have 550 units, up from 484 originally proposed.

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com OTIS INDIA LANDS 112-ELEVATOR ORDER FOR BENGALURU METRO Otis India has been awarded a 112-Gen2® elevator contract for the second phase of the Bengaluru Metro (also known as the Namma Metro) project of Bangalore Metro Rail Corp. Ltd. (BMRCL). The units will be manufactured at Otis' Bengaluru facility. The Namma Metro is expected to be India's third-longest metro network once complete in 2023. It will cover 27 stations connecting the city's manufacturing and technology hubs of Electronics City and Whitefield. The work is being overseen by BMRCL, which is a joint entity of the governments of India and Karnataka. Otis India President Sebi Joseph said the project reflects the company’s “deep commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.” Image credit: courtesy of Otis India To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTun

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com REGISTRATION FOR NAEC SPRING EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE Registration is open for the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) Spring Educational Conference, planned this year at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina, on April 19-22. Rates go up on March 18. NAEC expects more than 250 attendees at this year’s event, which will feature educational sessions; roundtable discussions; NAEC President Don Gelestino’s State of the Association address; keynote speaker, author and motivator Jones Loflin; networking; business development; and fun and relaxation. Image credit: courtesy of Wild Dunes Resort 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 OTIS INDIA FACTORY EARNS IGBC GOLD RATING Otis announced its factory in Bengaluru, India, received a Gold Rating from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The program encourages green concepts and techniques in the industrial sector and requires factories to meet certain requirements relating to design, occupational wellness, indoor quality and conservation of water, energy and materials. Also recently recognized by Manufacturing Today with its “Excellence in Supply Chain” award, the factory has doubled its manufacturing capacity since opening in 2014, Otis India President Sebi Joseph said. Image credit: courtesy of Otis 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 MIXED-USE TOWER IN NYC’S DOMINO PARK NEARLY COMPLETE One South First, a 435-ft-tall, 45-story mixed-use development on the waterfront in the Williamsburg, NYC, Domino Park development, is nearly completed, with exterior work finishing, leasing underway, and the exterior hoist coming down, New York YIMBY reports. Designed by COOKFOX and developed by Two Trees, the “two legged” tower contains 330 rental residential units, 66 affordable units, 150,000 ft2 of office space over 22 floors and ground-level retail. A 53-ft-tall shipping-container display decorated with a mural by French street artist JR depicting NYC landmarks such as the World Trade Center, Empire State Building and the Williamsburg Bridge stands adjacent on the site of the proposed Domino Park skyscraper, for which a timeline has not yet been announced. Image credit: courtesy by Michael Young for New York YIMBY To r

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com MALL OF AMERICA STATION OPENS WITH NEW ESCALATORS Minneapolis/St. Paul's Metro Transit opened the Mall of America station in Bloomington, Minnesota, on February 14, following more than a year of renovation. The US$25-million project for the station, on the east side of the megamall, now serves passengers for the Blue Line light rail; Red Line rapid bus; and nine local bus routes, with more to be added, Star Tribune reported. The largest transit hub in the state now boasts escalators that deposit transit passengers directly inside the mall, as opposed to requiring them to walk outside before entering. Approximately 44 million customers visit the mall annually, with nearly 3 million using the station and transit as their entry point. Image credit: courtesy of Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Transit To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscri

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com KONE OUTFITTING N.C. CASINO RESORT WITH ELEVATORS KONE plans to start outfitting Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina, with 16 elevators in August. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians selected Whiting Turner Contracting Co. as general contractor for the development, which includes more than 700 hotel rooms in a 19-story tower, 83,000 ft2 of conference space, shops, restaurants, a pool, a fitness center and a 2,000-space parking garage. KONE expects to complete elevator installation in 2021. Image credit: courtesy of Harrah's 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 WITHDRAWS BID TO PURCHASE THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR KONE announced on February 17 it has decided to withdraw from discussions to purchase thyssenkrupp Elevator. The company said that, while it believes a combination of its business with thyssenkrupp Elevator would have been "strategically compelling," any acquisition it pursues "would need to come with terms and conditions that are in the best interest of its shareholders, employees and customers." thyssenkrupp said earlier in the month that a sale of its elevator business was "iminent," with analysts expecting the deal to fetch about EUR17 billion (US$18.44 billion). KONE's was one of four bids being considered, but sources reported that Schindler and, probably, Otis would have likely forced a lengthy delay of the deal through worldwide legislation, had the Finland-based vertical-transportation company won the competition. Imag

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. Today’s podcast news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: www.elevatorbooks.com ORACLE ACQUIRES MARYLAND-BASED LANDMARK ELEVATOR Tampa-based Oracle Elevator has acquired Landmark Elevator, the company recently announced. Landmark, a provider of service, modernization and new installation in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, is a family-owned business founded in 2001. Oracle said the acquisition will be the foundation for its northeast expansion plans as it positions itself to be "the leading independent alternative to the multinational elevator companies." Landmark represents Oracle’s 32nd acquisition since 2004. It operates across 45 markets in 20 states. Image credit: courtesy of Oracle Elevator 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 1,000-FT GLASS ELEVATOR OK'D FOR CHICAGO'S AON CENTER Chicago's Department of Planning and Development has approved a plan by developer 601W and architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz to add the tallest exterior glass elevator in North America to Aon Center, Archinect reports. The US$185-million project, first announced in March 2019, would add a 1,000-ft-tall exterior elevator, which would whisk visitors up to an observation deck. The plan includes a thrill ride on the roof of the 1,136-ft-tall tower that would let those daring enough hang over the side in a gondola-type enclosure. Work is expected to begin later this year, with completion targeted for 2022. Image credit: courtesy by Solomon Cordwell Buenz To read the full transcript of today's podcast, visit: elevatorworld.com/news Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes │ Google Play | SoundCloud │ Stitcher │ TuneIn