Elevator World New York | May Newsletter

Volume 74 | May 2025 ADVERTISEMENT 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.   May 2025   G-TECH ELEVATOR RISES TO THE CHALLENGE AT THE FLATIRON BUILDING G-Tech Elevator Associates LLC, founded in 2010 by Brock Glenn and his father, mobilized on-site at Manhattan's Flatiron Building in April to tackle the bulk of the elevator work for conversion of the historic 22-story landmark into 60 residential units. G-Tech previously removed eight elevators as developer The Brodsky Organization completely guts the inside of the building and builds a new core while preserving much of the structure. G-Tech's scope of work consists of installing three new machine-room-less elevators and modernizing a sidewalk elevator. All units will travel at 500 ft/min and have BTS Elevator Packages systems including Elsco roller guides, Hollister-Whitney governors and safeties, GAL door equipment, Imperial machines, Monitor fixtures and MCE controllers, Glenn said. The system includes: Elevator 1, 24 stops with a capacity of 2100 lb Elevator 2, 25 stops with a capacity of 3500 lb Elevator 3, 22 stops with a capacity of 2100 lb "Bringing modern elevator systems to a piece of architectural history is no small task, but it's the kind of challenge we live for," Glenn said. The landmark readies for conversion; photo courtesy of Brock Glenn. The entire 255,000-ft2 interior is being gutted; photo courtesy of Brock Glenn. ADVERTISEMENT   APi GROUP ACQUIRES BRONX-BASED START ELEVATOR Minnesota-headquartered APi Group has acquired Bronx-based Start Elevator, a company founded in 1992 by Jack O'Shea that has more than 120 teammates. The move follows APi's acquisition of Tampa, Florida-based Elevated Facility Service Group in 2024. Like Elevated, Start will be a part of APi's Safety Services segment. APi says this acquisition will position it for "continued growth in the elevator market and expand our position as the leading provider for life safety services." O'Shea said Start Elevator "is excited to have found its forever home with APi Group. Between their focus on Building Great Leaders® and expanding their footprint in the elevator and escalator services industry, it just made sense for us to join the family of companies. We look forward to investing in our teammates' development and growing over the long term as a part of the APi family."    CLARKSON + VARICK WELCOMES DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Solberg Clarkson + Varick, a vertical-transportation (VT) consultancy headquartered in NYC and doing business in Florida, California and New York, recently welcomed Kent Solberg as director of operations. Solberg has more than 25 years' experience in the VT industry, including leadership and branch management positions at OEMs and independents. Joining Clarkson + Varick from United Elevator Services in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he served as general manager, Solberg previously was a district manager at Schindler and held various roles at Otis for nearly 20 years, including regional sales manager and general manager in Florida. "Kent has a proven track record of success, leading high-performing teams and driving exceptional performance in key markets," Clarkson + Varick observed. "His experience in overseeing operations and his commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit." ADVERTISEMENT   IN MEMORIAM: TIM HERRMANN Herrmann Tim Herrmann, a beloved father, brother, friend and husband, passed away on April 13 at age 64. A well-known figure in the NYC elevator industry, Herrmann previously worked for ECI-EDI and National Elevator Cab and Door Corp. (NECD) and spent more than 30 years in the industry. At NECD, Herrmann served as vice president of operations responsible for engineering, production and field operations. "Tim was a true expert in elevator cabs, and he operated at the peak of the 'A' building market in NYC — the place with the most customized, exotic elevators," NECD CEO Jeff Friedman said. When Herrmann looked at an architect's design for an elevator cab, he could immediately identify the elements that weren't feasible and sketch out how to make it work, Friedman said. In addition to an engineer's eye, Herrmann also possessed the "hands of a mechanic," Friedman said. Once parts were designed and manufactured, Herrmann could stand among the workers and show them how to put the parts together efficiently. Friedman said: "One of his last major projects was how to handle the massive, edge-lit rear walls intended for the 59 passenger elevators at One World Trade Center (1 WTC). Tim's immediate concerns about the design were proven correct, and his suggestions still have a place in one of the world's most iconic buildings." All the elevator cabs and 1,200 entrances at 1 WTC were delivered on time, and the first-of-their-kind shrouds Herrmann shepherded into existence for the 2,000 ft/min units helped the elevator contractor meet rigorous acoustic and ride-quality specifications, remembers Friedman. Herrmann "drove his team hard to get the best results, and he gave even more of himself, because elevator cabs were his passion." ADVERTISEMENT OTIS ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR QUEENS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TOWER Edgemere Commons B1 in Far Rockaway, Queens; image courtesy of NYC Housing Connect Otis tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided a four-unit elevator system for Edgemere Commons B1, a 15-story affordable housing complex designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Tishman Speyer's TS Communities at 5119 Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, Queens. Three of the Gen3 EdgeTM elevators have a triplex configuration and make 13 stops, while the other has a simple configuration and makes two stops. New York YIMBY reported on May 7 that an affordable housing lottery had launched for the property, which boasts 237 residences, 8,000 ft2 of retail and 7,500 ft2 of community family space. ADVERTISEMENT   CRE HEAVYWEIGHTS BULLISH ON NYC OFFICE MARKET With corporations mandating that workers return to the office, commercial real estate (CRE) heavyweights predict good times ahead for the NYC office market, The Real Deal (TRD) reports, reflecting on sentiments expressed during TRD NYC CRE forum earlier this month. Office leasing is on track to enjoy its best year since 2020, thanks in large part to financial services companies snatching up space, said Mary Ann Tighe of CBRE. Tighe was joined by WeWork CEO John Santora and Vanbarton Group's Richard Coles at the forum, with all three expressing optimism despite uncertainty over President Trump's trade policies. Both traditional office leases and ones that incorporate a flex component are driving demand, they said. "That (flex) option was essential in Christie's 400,000-ft2 lease renewal for its headquarters at 20 Rockefeller Plaza," said Tighe, who also "dished on" Deloitte's 800,000-ft2 lease at Related Cos.'s 70 Hudson Yards. ADVERTISEMENT   TEI INVOLVED IN ELEVATORS FOR NEW MUSEUM ADDITION The addition contrasts with the original structure resembling stacked boxes and completed in 2007; image by OMA via Instagram. Long Island City-based TEI Group is among contactors working on the elevator system serving the seven-story, 60,000-ft2 New Museum addition at 231 Bowery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. An expanded lobby will feature three new elevators, with two dedicated to gallery access, outlets including New York YIMBY report. TEI's work consists of the modernization of one unit and a door upgrade for another. YIMBY reported that a façade of corrugated metal and aluminum composite was being installed in May ahead of anticipated completion next year. The new annex was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, along with Cooper Robertson & Partners, with a sleek angular profile that contrasts with the original structure resembling stacked boxes that was completed in 2007. ADVERTISEMENT   MTA WELCOMES MODERNIZED ELEVATORS AT BRONX SUBWAY STATION The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) welcomed two completely modernized elevators at the 3rd Avenue-149th Street subway station in the South Bronx early this month. Contracted to Otis, work included full replacement of elevator cabs and associated equipment within the cab, shaft and pit; two new elevator head houses at street level; modifications to the shaft and pit needed to accommodate new equipment; replacement and modernization of all elevator machine room, electrical and mechanical equipment; and upgrade of the remote-monitoring equipment, intercom systems and cameras to enhance security and allow crews to respond quickly in the event of a malfunction. MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, "Bronx subway riders deserve modern and reliable accessibility features," including at this station, which sees more than 10,000 daily riders. The MTA currently has elevator replacement projects underway in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. Image courtesy of MTA   LABOR SHORTAGE DELAYS NYC ELEVATOR ACCEPTANCE TESTS Consultancy VDA, Inc., issued a notice in April that scheduling acceptance testing for new elevator installations and modernizations in NYC is significantly delayed due to a labor shortage in the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Multi-dwelling properties with a single elevator are not subject to these tests and may be self-certified by the elevator contractor. For everyone else, it is ideal, according to VDA, to have a professional consultant present to ensure all tests are properly completed in accordance with applicable codes and that the client receives additional credit of Category 5 full-load inspection testing. Property owners and managers involved in new construction or modernization projects that include elevators should plan proactively, and be aware that "despite advanced labor efforts, turnover of the elevator may be impacted by these conditions," VDA stated. Current DOB service levels may be found here. "Significant delays is an understatement," NYC elevator mechanic Ed Rivera said on LinkedIn, thanking VDA for issuing the notice. "Things are becoming nearly impossible to plan for. I am seeing August Acceptance Test dates being issued, and these are for requests made many weeks in advance of completion. Wild times ahead here in the NYC market." ADVERTISEMENT   TKE CONSIDERING US$22.7-BILLION IPO IN U.S. IN 2026 Germany's TK Elevator (TKE), the fourth-largest elevator maker in sales behind U.S.-based Otis, Switzerland's Schindler and Finland-based KONE, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. in 2026, Reuters reported in April. The source cited three individuals familiar with the matter who wish to remain private. The U.S. accounts for approximately 35% of TKE's total EUR9.3 billion (US$10.5 billion) 2023-24 sales, and the company is likely to be valued at more than EUR20 billion (US$22.7 billion) in an IPO. Market turmoil triggered by U.S. tariffs has slowed the pace of dealmaking, and the projected timeline is subject to change depending on market conditions. News of TKE's potential IPO follows Saudi tech firm Alat becoming a direct shareholder with a 15% stake in the company in February, as well as launching a EUR160-million (US$181.6 million) European joint venture in Saudi Arabia. ThyssenKrupp sold its elevator division, later named TKE, for EUR17.2 billion (US$19.5 billion) in 2020 to a private equity consortium. European companies choosing the U.S. to launch IPOs — a "hotly debated topic" — is being driven by companies' hope to get higher valuations versus than in their home countries. ADVERTISEMENT   SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR UNVEILS COMPANY-WIDE REBRAND Earlier this month, Schumacher Elevator, headquartered in Denver, Iowa, and celebrating its 90th anniversary, unveiled a company-wide rebrand for the logo that appears on its website, vehicles, uniforms, tradeshow booths and more. The previous version of the logo had been in place since the 1980s, and Schumacher involved employees, customers and suppliers in the process of developing the new one. The new, bright-blue branding features a stylized "S" that forms a path symbolizing progress. An arrow incorporated into the logo emphasizes steady growth and an upward trajectory. "Although we are undergoing a massive update to our look and branding, we still honor the family and company values that have kept us growing independently for 90 years," said Jeff Schumacher, CEO of the company now in its fifth generation. Look for a Company Spotlight on Schumacher Elevator in the June 2025 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD! The new signage at company HQ; image courtesy of Schumacher Elevator The new logo will appear throughout operations; image courtesy of Schumacher Elevator. ADVERTISEMENT   CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND RENDERING OF BROOKLYN TOWER REVEALED A rendering of and details on the construction plans for 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension, a proposed 80-story residential skyscraper in Downtown Brooklyn, were revealed by Mayor Eric Adams on May 7 as part of his "City of Yes" zoning reforms, New York YIMBY reports. Designed by TenBerke Architects and developed by Rabina and Park Tower Group in collaboration with the city's Department of Housing Preservation & Development, the 840-ft-tall structure is proposed to yield 1,263 rental units with 20-30% reserved for affordable housing. The development plans for the skyscraper that would be Brooklyn's second tallest tower include a 4,750 ft2 public plaza around the building and a new subway entrance for the DeKalb Avenue station, which serves the B, Q and R trains. The site is currently only zoned for commercial use and would need to undergo a public hearing to be rezoned for residential use. The existing seven-story building has 66,000 ft2 of retail space on the first two floors. 395 Flatbush, designed by TenBerke Architects TOTEM ANNOUNCES UPDATED PLANS FOR MIXED-USE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN IN BROOKLYN Totem, a Brooklyn-based development firm, released an updated proposal for Herkimer-Williams, a planned mixed-use development surrounding Broadway Junction in Brooklyn, New York YIMBY reports. The development is planned to include affordable housing, commercial and light industrial space, as well as neighborhood-serving retail. The proposed plan includes dedicated areas for community services and up to 25,000 ft2 of public open space for a new plaza adjacent to Broadway Junction station. Made after more than two years of community outreach, revisions for the 2-acre, multi-building campus increase the number of permanently affordable housing units from 600 to up to 1,000 while decreasing commercial office space from 750,000 to 440,000 ft2. The light industrial space will remain at 100,000 ft2 while retail space will be adjusted to 114,000 ft2 to better support smaller, neighborhood-scale businesses. The revised plans reduced building heights and allocate up to 85,000 ft2 for community facilities. The project no longer involves the de-mapping of Herkimer Street. ADVERTISEMENT SEA-LEVEL RISE THREATENS NEW YORK HOUSING AND TALL BUILDINGS According to a new report by the Regional Plan Association, New York's housing shortage could grow to 1.2 million homes due to rising sea-levels, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) reports. As flood-prone land becomes increasingly unbuildable, new reports show that more than half of the 82,000 homes at risk are located on Long Island, with additional vulnerability found in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and cities along the Long Island Sound. In 2023, CTBUH completed a study on sea-level rise and the potential impact on shorelines across the globe, analyzing 23,156 of the buildings in its database that were completed, under construction or proposed buildings within 100 km of a coastline. As of January 1, 2022, CTBUH focused on 200-m-plus buildings, finding that 70% of the 2,005 buildings of 200 m or taller, or 1,399 buildings, are within 100 km of a coast and therefore in danger of rising sea-levels. ECNY SUPPLIER SHOWCASE SEES LARGE CROWD, NEW NIGHT-TIME EVENT ECNY held its first Vendor Appreciation and Networking NYC Penthouse and Rooftop Extravaganza at 239 Fifth on April 8. Nearly 900 attendees visited with 120 exhibitor booths. The 2025 Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) Supplier Showcase once again provided industry suppliers with the chance to showcase their products to a New York-centric audience, along with those who took the time to travel to participate in the 24th edition of this industry-favorite event on April 9 at Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx. Nearly 900 attendees — more than last year — visited with the approximately 120 exhibitor booths that filled every inch of the exhibitor space, and a few new companies were able to participate this year for the first time. This year, the registration and sign-up experiences were different, as the group works to improve the process each year. Another highlight of the event was the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation 50/50 raffle. To add a little something extra to the week's offerings, ECNY held the first Vendor Appreciation and Networking NYC Penthouse and Rooftop Extravaganza on April 8 at 230 Fifth, NYC's largest all-year outdoor and indoor bar and event space, in the Flatiron District. With more than 240 people registered, the space quickly filled with industry folk and conversations. Drinks were followed by an array of hors d'oeuvres and dinner options. For those willing to brave the chilly temperatures, space was reserved outside on the rooftop with an amazing view of the city, including the Empire State Building. Warm igloos provided a place to escape the cold and chat with a beverage in hand. The funds raised from the event will go toward the ECNY scholarship program. The 25th anniversary of the showcase is tentatively set for April 15, 2026, with a rooftop event planned for the night before — most likely at the same venue. The 24th annual event was held on April 9 at Villa Barone Manor. ADVERTISEMENT     UPCOMING EVENTS CECA Convention Niagara Falls, Canada June 9-12, 2025 For more information, visit website.   Louis J. Mezzo Memorial Golf Outing 2025 Harrison, New York June 26, 2025 For more information, email John.   50th Annual Pop/Joe Golf Outing Old Brookville, New York September 8, 2025 For more information, visit website. Editorial submissions, reprint permission requests and subscription/removal requests should be sent to the ELEVATOR WORLD Editorial Department. EW New York editorial staff: Angela C. Baldwin, Kaija Wilkinson, Sophie Goodwin and Lindsay Fletcher. The EW Editorial Calendar can be downloaded here. ELEVATOR WORLD New York is a registered trademark, and all rights are reserved. Copyright 2025 © Elevator World, Inc.   Copyright © 2025 Elevator World, Inc., All rights reserved. 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