Elevator World New York September Newsletter

Volume 67 | September 2024

ELEVATOR WORLD New York is EW's free monthly newsletter focusing on vertical-transportation news in the Greater New York Region. Contact the EW Editorial Department to submit news or the EW Advertising Department to advertise and reach more than 5,000 subscribers in the New York area.

September 2024

LCD ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT UWS PROPERTY

Entrance to 720 West End Avenue; image courtesy of listing agent Corcoran

Richie Clark, co-owner of Mineola, New York-based LCD Elevator Repair, Inc., tells ELEVATOR WORLD the company and its suppliers provided a five-unit elevator system for 720 West End Avenue, a 1927 Emery Roth-designed building that was originally the Hotel Marcy converted to luxury residences on the Upper West Side (UWS). Two stories were added to the building, bringing it to 17 stories. Elevator project manager was David Regiec at LCD, and the general contractor was CMA. A grouping of three elevator cars includes two 3000-lb capacity units and one 4000-lb capacity unit traveling at 350 ft/min. serving all 17 landings. Suppliers for elevators in this grouping were BTS of Linden, New Jersey (rails, brackets, slings, platforms, counterweights, Imperial 478 machines and entrances); Brooklyn-based USC Elevator Interiors (cabs), EC Controls (controllers), GAL (door equipment) and Monitor Controls (fixtures). There is one 4000-lb capacity hydraulic twin post elevator making three stops that travels at 100 ft/min. This unit has a package supplied by MEI with cabs from USC Elevator Interiors, controllers from EC Controls, GAL door equipment and monitor fixtures. The system also boasts a 10,000-lb capacity hydraulic twin post automobile lift with front and rear openings that travels at 80 ft/min and makes two stops. The MEI package for this elevator includes Monitor Controls (fixtures), The Peelle Co. (all-automatic entrances and cabs) and Smartise (controllers).

START ELEVATOR ANNOUNCES MAJOR CONTRACTS

Image courtesy of COMPASS.

Bronx-based Start Elevator, a leading provider of elevator maintenance and modernization services, on September 4 announced several significant contracts, helping solidify its position as a trusted elevator partner in NYC and beyond. The contracts build upon Start Elevator's recent combining of resources with G-Tech Elevator Associates, expanding their ability to serve clients throughout New York and New Jersey. Recent contracts include the Ritz Plaza, a 45-story luxury residential building in Midtown West, modernization of five and maintenance of six elevators; Arete Management, a NYC-based business management consultant, comprehensive maintenance contract for 27 elevators across the Arete portfolio; and Prime Locations, Inc., a property management company serving Westchester and surrounding areas, monthly maintenance of 12 elevators. "We are honored to partner with such prestigious clients and to expand our footprint in the elevator service industry," Start Elevator Business Development Lead Kyle McCarthy said.

SIX NEW ELEVATORS FROM MID-AMERICAN FOR MTA 14TH STREET STATIONS

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) tells ELEVATOR WORLD the elevator subcontractor for three new elevators each at the 14th Street 6th and 7th Avenue stations in Manhattan was Chicagoland's Mid-American Elevator. Mid-American is working with prime contractor Citnalta Construction/Forte Construction Joint Venture on the projects. MTA unveiled the new units at 6th Avenue on August 22, with installation at 7th Avenue underway in August. The elevators at 6th Avenue will take subway riders from the street to the station's mezzanine, from the mezzanine to the uptown F and M train platform and from the mezzanine to the L train platform. The elevators at both stations were funded in both the MTA's current and previous capital plans, which were unaffected by Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to pause construction pricing. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the authority is determined to make all 472 stations "universally accessible."

Subway riders take advantage of the brand-new elevator system; photo by Ray Raimundi for MTA.

TWO KONE MRLS FOR NEW SENIOR-HOUSING TOWER IN THE BRONX

Park Lane Senior Apartments at 1940 Turnbull Avenue in the Bronx; image courtesy of NYC Housing Connect

KONE tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided two MonoSpace^® 500 DX machine-room-less (MRL) elevators for 1940 Turnbull Avenue, a new 14-story senior apartment complex in the Bronx. New York YIMBY reported in August that the affordable housing lottery had launched for the property, designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Asland Capital Partners and Pembroke Residential Holdings. It houses 154 apartments and a slew of amenities including surveillance cameras in common areas, a shared laundry room, an on-site superintendent, a community room and an outdoor terrace. While tenants will be responsible for electricity, rent includes gas for cooking, heat and hot water, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

49^th ANNUAL POP/JOE GOLF OUTING DRAWS A CROWD, HONORS A LEGEND

All who participated in the 49th Annual Pop/Joe Golf Outing at the Brookville Country Club in Glen Head, NY, on September 9, say they enjoyed a great day of golf, fun and fellowship. This year's Pop/Joe honoree was Angelo Mattola, who, with Bill Casey, founded Claddagh Electronics, Ltd., in 1986. The Long Island City-based company has since become one of the top manufacturers in the elevator industry, with its most popular items being the IP8300 landing control system and the Electronic Stepper. The ever-popular event, a major fundraiser for the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, drew plenty of NYC elevator professionals, including Kenneth Seiferth III of Ascend Consulting Group, who said it was a "terrific event, as always," and Champion Elevator's Don Gelestino, who said, "What a great day!" Look for more in ELEVATOR WORLD soon about this year's Pop/Joe.

Gelestino, center, chats with colleagues/fellow golfers.

Smiling faces abounded.

This year's honoree, Angelo Mattola.

UNITED CONVENTION PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY

The National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) announces the full program for the upcoming United Convention, bringing together NAEC, the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association, the International Association of Elevator Consultants and Elevator U on September 23-26 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is now available digitally. The 80-page program includes a complete schedule of events, exhibitor listings and details about special events. In an effort to be more eco-friendly, printed copies of the program will not be available. However, those signed up to receive NAEC emails will receive a "Know Before You Go" email this week containing information to help them prepare for the convention. This email will contain a link to NAEC's mobile app, where you can access the floorplan, exhibitors and a complete schedule of on-site events. Exhibitors include many based in the New York/New Jersey area, including Claddagh Electronics Ltd, Dura-Vator, East Coast Automation Sales, Elevator Motors Corp., Elevator Systems Inc., Hilliard Brake Systems, ISC Elevator Products, National Elevator Cab & Door Corp., Perlen Steel Corp., Rigidized Metals, Triumph Electrical Supply Corp., United Cabs and Vantage Elevator Solutions.

SCHINDLER ELEVATOR RELOCATES TO DURST'S 1133 AVE. OF THE AMERICAS

Entrance to 1133 Ave. of the Americas; image courtesy of the Durst Organization

Schindler Elevator Corp. has signed a full-floor lease for 23,000 ft² at the Durst Organization's 1133 Ave. of the Americas, connectcre.com reports. A leading global manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways, Schindler has moved the company's corporate New York office to the Bryant Park neighborhood. Schindler Senior Vice President Michael Chatterton said, "It is an honor to move into this Class A, LEED Gold building; where we not only installed the original elevators and modernized them over the years, but also have proudly maintained this equipment since the building opened."

TKE ELEVATOR FOR NEW FORT GEORGE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

TK Elevator (TKE) tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided an Evolution 100 elevator for 140 Hillside Avenue, a seven-story residential building heading toward completion by the end of 2024 in Fort George, Manhattan. A machine-room-less system with a belted design, Evolution 100 boasts efficiency and reliability, TKE observes. It features a TAC32T slim controller. The elevator operates at a speed of 200 ft/min and has a maximum capacity of 3500 lbs. Designed by J Frankl Associates and developed by Read Property Group, 140 Hillside Avenue will house 20 condominium units within its approximately 26,466 ft², New York YIMBY reported. The exterior will feature alternating columns of dark and light brick, and there will be private outdoor terraces for the upper units, as well as recreational space on the rooftop.

The building is being completed with US$9.8 million in financing arranged by Meridian Capital Group, according to New York YIMBY; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY.

ECNY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EVENTS

The Board of Directors of the Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) has announced upcoming events. They include, on October 17, safety seminar (topic to be decided); on November 7, NYS mechanic course and QEI maintenance certification (second offering); and on December 5, the annual holiday party. All events are planned at the Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx. Please note that the charter bus to the United Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 23-26 has been cancelled due to low registration. Anyone with questions may contact ECNY at email.

BUILDING WITH A HISTORY BEING CONVERTED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

A nine-story Art Deco building in Manhattan designed by the same firm behind the Empire State Building is getting new life as housing after originally serving as a YMCA and later, a women's prison, The Architect's Newspaper was among outlets to report in July. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon designed 550 West 20th Street in 1931 to house a YMCA. The State of New York bought the structure in the 1970s and converted it into the Bayview Correctional Facility. Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, it has sat vacant. A 2016 effort to turn it into a center for women's rights failed, but the 100,000-ft² building is now being transformed by COOKFOX into Liberty Landing, which will add seven new stories and offer 124 permanently affordable residences, including some for those with mental-health needs. The State of New York, Cambe Property Group and Osborne Association are together pledging US$108-million toward the development, which will retain the original Art Deco character, "recover its heritage as a place of refuge and transform its legacy as a place of incarceration into a place for renewal and thriving," COOKFOX Associate Partner Bethany Borel said.

Growing to 16 stories, the building is not far from Bjarke Ingels Group's One High Line; image courtesy of COOKFOX.

KONE PROVIDES TWO NEW MRLS AS PART OF TRIBECA FIRE RESTORATION

KONE tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided two MonoSpace^® 500 DX machine-room-less (MRL) elevators to 27 Park Place, a five-story commercial building in Tribeca that was heavily damaged in a fire in 2017. Powered by the compact, energy-efficient EcoDisc^® hoisting motor, MonoSpace DX saves valuable space in low-, mid- and high-rise buildings. The new elevator system is part of a full interior and exterior refurbishment of the structure, designed by Michael Schmitt Architect PC. Reporting on project progress in August, New York YIMBY observed that work was finishing up at the southern end of the plot, bound by Murray Street to the north, Park Place to the south and Church Street to the west. Completion is anticipated by the end of this year, and the new retail frontage features industrial-style windows with dark mullions, rectangular ventilation grilles and multiple doorways for the storefronts.

27 Park Place; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY

MIDTOWN EAST OFFICE/RETAIL TOWER BEING BOUGHT FOR A SONG

New lobby elevators at 360 Lex; image courtesy of 360lexingtonave.com

A 24-story office/retail tower at 360 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, marketed as 360 Lex, is being bought by Capstone Equities and AmTrust RE from Savanna for US$65 million, a third of the US$180 million price Savanna paid for it in 2019, The Real Deal (TRD) reports. Boasting new elevator cabs and lobbies, the 270,000-ft² property has gone from being 82% leased when Savanna acquired it to 60% leased now. "With its US$110 million mortgage due, Savanna and its lenders, Barclays and PPM America, [were] in an unenviable position," TRD pointed out. Savannah is among many other investors struggling in a weak office market, last year handing its 1825 Park Avenue office building in Harlem over to lenders. Built in 1959, 360 Lexington Avenue is a short walk from Grand Central Terminal and had been considered for an office-to-residential conversion, but current plans are to keep it as an office tower.

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL VOTE PUTS HOUSING PLANNER IN HOLDING PATTERN

Magnussen Architecture and Planning PC (MAP) is in a temporary holding pattern as it plans the final piece of the 33-block Melrose Commons redevelopment of 33 blocks in the South Bronx, The Real Deal (TRD) reports. A final City Council vote on Mayor Eric Adams' City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is expected before the end of the year, and whether or not that vote includes Universal Affordability Preference (UAP), along with a separate request to lift a height cap, will dictate how many residential units the site in question — Cornerstone B2 — will have. With UAP and lifting of the height cap, Cornerstone B2 could have 200 apartments rather than 94. MAP founder Magnus Magnussen told TRD his firm is having to "design our buildings both ways" and that housing production could be delayed. Changes that would pave the way for more office-to-residential conversions and eliminate parking mandates could also guide major development projects, according to the source.

Melrose Commons; image courtesy of MAP

ELEVATORS BACK IN SERVICE AT LIC RESIDENTIAL TOWER

The three elevators at the 38-story Hunter's Point Commons residential tower in Long Island City (LIC), Queens, are working again after two units serving floors 15 to 38 had been out for more than a week, the Queens Chronicle reported on August 15. Tenant leader Matt Aaron said the elevators serving the 10-year-old, rent-controlled building have experienced "on-again, off-again mechanical trouble. He is "cautiously optimistic" that the most recent fixes — which elevator maintenance provider KONE said involved a damaged controller drive and hoist cable issues — are permanent. The fixes were announced after the Chronicle and CBS News ran pieces on the issue and the Department of Buildings sent an inspector to the property, managed by The Related Cos. Related, for its part, said repairing the elevators was its top priority and that is appreciated residents' patience.

H.I.G. CAPITAL COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ACTION ELEVATOR

H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm, announces that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of Action Elevator, a leading independent provider of elevator services. As part of the transaction, Action's leadership team will remain in place and have a significant ownership stake in the recapitalized business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Millersville, Maryland, Action Elevator provides elevator maintenance, repair and modernization services to customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Concurrent with this transaction, Action acquired Century Elevator, a leading provider of elevator services in the Washington D.C. market.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2024 United Convention & Exposition

Atlantic City, New Jersey

September 23-26, 2024

For more information, visit website.

International Elevator & Escalator Symposium

Paradise Island
Bahamas

November 12-13, 2024

For more information, visit website.

ECNY Annual Holiday Party

Bronx, New York

December 5, 2024

For more information, visit website.

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