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. | | | | G-TECH PROVIDES ELEVATORS FOR NEW BROOKLYN TOWER | | | 499 President Street; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY | | G-Tech Elevator Associates tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided four elevators for 499 President Street, a 10-story, 350-unit residential tower designed by SLCE Architects and developed by the Brodsky Organization and Avery Hall Investments in Gowanus, Brooklyn. All are machine-room-less, traction units that travel at 200 ft/min. Two have 4000-lb capacity, one has 2500-lb capacity and another has 2100-lb capacity. They boast BTS Elevator Package packages along with GAL door equipment, Elsco roller guides, MCE iBox controllers, Hollister-Whitney governors and Imperial machines. Residences, 88 of which are designated as affordable, come with wide-plank floors, white oak kitchen cabinetry and stacked washers and dryers, New York YIMBY reported in June. Amenities include a rooftop community garden and a pool, and the development's 20,000 ft2 of retail will include a Brooklyn pizzeria. | | | The rooftop community garden; image via New York YIMBY | | | | TEI PROVIDING THREE ELEVATORS FOR BRONX HIP HOP MUSEUM | | | The Hip Hop Museum; image courtesy of thhm.org | | TEI Group told ELEVATOR WORLD it is installing three elevators for The Hip Hop Museum, a project at 585 Exterior Street that will anchor Bronx Point, a 585,000-ft2 mixed-used complex designed by BrandNu and Gensler along the Harlem River, according to New York YIMBY. New Jersey Community Capital finalized a US$8.5 million New Market Tax Credit loan to support the museum's construction at 585 Exterior Street in Mott Haven ahead of anticipated completion in summer 2026, YIMBY reported. Being developed in partnership with L+M Development Partners, the museum is set to include a research center, archive, educational programs and career opportunities. Completed in 2023, the 23-story Bronx Point includes 542 permanently affordable housing units, a three-acre public waterfront park and retail. | | | | LIFTCOMM ENHANCES MTA STATION ELEVATOR SAFETY, SECURITY | | | LiftComm, a provider of communication solutions for the transportation industry, recently completed jobs in Midtown Manhattan and the Bronx. As part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) modernization of two elevators at the 34th Street Penn Station subway station in Midtown Manhattan, LiftComm provided an advanced elevator intercom system that supports MTA's accessibility and safety goals at one of the busiest transit hubs in the country. Fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and ASME A17.1 2019, the solution is hosted entirely on-site, unlike cloud-based alternatives. "That means no reliance on third-party servers, no unnecessary exposure and full control over system security and uptime," LiftComm observed. LiftComm also provided updated elevator intercom systems for an MTA modernization of two elevators at the 3rd Avenue-149th Street station in the Bronx. LiftComm's elevator intercom systems are built with integrated voice and text capabilities and designed for high-traffic, high-demand environments. | | | 34th Street-Penn station; image courtesy of LiftComm | | 3rd Avenue-149th street Station; image courtesy of LiftComm | | | | SCHINDLER MODERNIZES ELEVATORS AT ART DECO TOWER | | | Schindler recently modernized the 18-elevator system serving 500 Fifth Avenue, a 60-story Art Deco office skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. In contrast to the building's historic marble and bronze lobby, the elevators now represent cutting-edge technology, Schindler observed. The Schindler PORT transit-management system was incorporated as part of a comprehensive modernization of all passenger and freight elevators. The job prioritized safety, efficiency and historic preservation at the Cushman & Wakefield property where approximately 1,850 people work. Cushman & Wakefield Property Manager David Leest said elevators are a major factor in tenant satisfaction and praised Schindler's attention to detail in this project to ensure the units operate safely, quickly and flawlessly. Schindler Modernization Foreman Eric Boland said it was rewarding for his team to overcome complexities including space limitations and having to work while the building was occupied. | | | The stunning Art Deco elevator lobby; image courtesy of Schindler | | Schindler Modernization Foreman Eric Boland; image courtesy of Schindler | | | TKE ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR NEW BROOKLYN RESIDENTIAL TOWER | | | TK Elevator (TKE) tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided six engineered gearless and one engineered hydraulic elevators at The Brook, a new 51-story residential building at 589 Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn, NY. Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and developed by Witkoff Group and Apollo Global Management, the property's amenities include a dog-washing station, bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, a pool, outdoor areas and much more, according to New York YIMBY. NYC Housing Connect launched an affordable housing lottery for 178 of The Brook's 591 units in June, and applications must be submitted online or postmarked no later than August 1. | | | | DOB TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY INSPECTION THROUGH END OF YEAR | | | Under a pilot program, the Department of Buildings (DOB) approved third-party elevator agencies to perform acceptance tests for new elevator installations, alterations and modernization work through December 31. Acceptance tests must be performed in the presence of a witnessing elevator agency, which cannot be affiliated with the elevator work or the approved elevator agency that performed the work. A licensed director, co-director or elevator inspector from the witnessing agency must be present while the acceptance test is being performed. Personnel hoists and amusement rides may not participate. DOB began the program on June 1 and reserves the right to end it any time prior to December 31. | | | | IN MEMORIAM: PETER J. HITSOUS | | | | | Lifelong Staten Island resident Peter J. Hitsous, who had a distinguished career with Allstar Elevator and Otis, from which he retired, passed away on March 12 at age 70. He was known for his ability to fix anything, from elevators to car parts, and was always willing to lend a hand to friends and family. He was reliable, punctual and always respectful toward others, regardless of their position. Hitsous was pre-deceased by his wife of 27 years, Theresa. Survivors include his children, Kristen and Michael, and his cherished granddaughter, Theresa. A man of traditional values and honor, Hitsous believed in hard work, sacrifice for the good of others and the importance of keeping one's word. He sought to deliver perfection in any task he undertook, and always presented himself well, whether in his green Otis uniform or a new tuxedo. "May his love and wisdom live on in all who were fortunate enough to know him," his obituary stated. | | | | RECHLER'S RXR PUTS US$50-MILLION DEPOSIT DOWN ON MIDTOWN TOWER | | | Scott Rechler's RXR Realty put a US$50-million deposit down on and signed a "hard contract" for 590 Madison Avenue, a 41-story office skyscraper also known as the IBM Building in Midtown Manhattan, The Real Deal (TRD) reported earlier this month. Citing sources familiar with the deal, TRD said RXR signed a letter of intent several weeks ago to buy the building from STRS Ohio State Teachers' Pension Fund for nearly US$1.1 billion, and that the deal should close by the middle of July at the latest. Designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes and Associates for IBM and completed in 1982, the tower is shaped like an irregular pentagon. In late 2021, TEI Group had planned to finish the modernization of 20 elevators — a job that included the biggest destination-dispatch system installation ever performed by an independent elevator company. National Elevator Cab & Door Corp. (NECD) was involved in interior cab design. | | | 590 Madison Avenue as seen from the south; photo by Matthew G. Bisanz for Wikipedia | | An elevator post-modernization in 2021; image courtesy of NECD | | | | LED STRIPS SHINE LIGHT ON PROGRESS AT JPMORGAN CHASE HQ | | | As it heads closer to handover, the LED strips on the exterior of JPMorgan Chase's new supertall headquarters (HQ) at 270 Park Avenue in Midtown East recently underwent testing, New York YIMBY reported. The 60-story tower will become the tallest structure in NYC powered entirely by hydroelectric energy, according to the source, which captured photos of the LED strips. Designed by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners and developed by Tishman Speyer, the property will yield 2.5 million ft2 of office space with capacity for approximately 15,000 employees. Otis, which is providing 270 Park Avenue's vertical-transportation system, said it will release information to ELEVATOR WORLD as soon as it is able. YIMBY estimates the project to complete construction by the end of the summer. | | | 270 Park Avenue, center, adds light to the Midtown East night sky; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY | | Looking up at the illuminated tower; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY | | | | METRO ELEVATOR TRANSFORMS BROOKLYN NAVY YARD FREIGHT ELEVATOR | | | Metro Elevator Chief Operating Officer Ryan Kraven recently announced on LinkedIn that Metro Elevator has put a massive, 16,000-lb capacity freight elevator back in service at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. on time and completely, "with only the existing rails remaining." Metro Vice President of Operations Matt McQuillen and Project Manager Winans A. Largacha were instrumental in the project, which involved very heavy lifting. "To say the least, there is quite a before-and-after difference," Kraven observed. The team used top-of-the-line, all-new automatic freight doors and cab from The Peelle Co. and International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 1 labor. | | | Before; image courtesy of Ryan Kraven | | After; image courtesy of Ryan Kraven | | | | SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR THE EW PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARDS | | | Submissions are now being accepted for the ELEVATOR WORLD 28th Annual Project of the Year Awards. We are seeking submissions of projects featuring vertical, horizontal or inclined transportation systems with an innovative design, special application or approach that solved a major problem or overcame a unique challenge. Projects will be judged on innovation, originality and creativity, challenges overcome, installation methods and techniques and use of advanced technology, as well as overall quality of presentation. This year's categories are 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. All entries will be judged and categorized as received by an impartial panel of experienced industry experts and professionals. Winning entries will be published in the January 2026 issue of ELEVATOR WORLD. Winners in each category will be acknowledged with an award of recognition. The submission deadline is September 2. | | | | NAEC 2025 CONVENTION & EXPO APPROACHING IN HOUSTON | | | National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) members and associates are counting the days until the 2025 NAEC Convention & Expo on September 15-18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Those planning to attend the 76th annual event may still register, and NAEC has begun building the tradeshow floorplan, which you can check out here. As always, many NYC-area VT companies will be showcasing their latest offerings and innovations. At press time, they included BTS Elevator Packages, Claddagh Electronics, Columbia Elevator Products, MEGA Elevator Parts & Electrical Supply, Perlen Steel and Vantage. ELEVATOR WORLD hopes to see you there! The 77th annual NAEC Convention & Expo is planned in Chicago on September 30-October 1, 2026. | The NAEC Convention & Expo is always a highlight of the year; image courtesy of NAEC. | | | MESA MEETING INCLUDES HYPERION PRESENTATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS | | | The Massachusetts Elevator Safety Association (MESA) meeting held at Jack N Joes N Joes in Norwood, Massachusetts, on June 11 included a spirited presentation on dual-plunger brake systems by Pete McIntosh of Hyperion Solutions and scholarships for three outstanding students. Approximately 20 MESA members attended. Scholarship recipients were Regan Gilman (Cleary Elevator), Paige Tripp (Draper Industries) and Taylor Grant (3Phase). The MESA Cruise on July 16 and the annual MESA Golf Outing on August 7 are both sold-out events. Regularly scheduled membership meetings will begin in September. — reported by EW Correspondent Matthew Jackson | | | Pete McIntosh of Hyperion Solutions presents on dual-plunger brakes. | | Scholarship winner Paige Tripp, center, with her dad and MESA President Corinne Nawrocki of Abel Elevator Consulting | | | OTIS RECEIVES SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS | | | Otis has recently been recognized by three publications for its sustainable practices. Otis returned to the USA Today America's Climate Leaders list that ranks 500 recognized companies based on their core emissions compared to their revenues, taking data from 2021-2023. The Forbes Net-Zero Leaders list recognizes 200 companies in the U.S. for their efforts in reducing carbon emissions. Otis has made the Net-Zero Leaders list for the first time this year. Otis was also named among the World's Greenest Companies by Newsweek for the first time. The World's Greenest Companies list recognizes 750 companies across 26 countries based on their environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation and sustainability data disclosure and commitments. | | | THE PEOPLE ISSUE 2025 SPOTLIGHTS LOCAL VT LEADERS | | | As always, ELEVATOR WORLD's annual People Issue, appearing this month in EW, spotlights several vertical-transportation (VT) industry leaders based in or with strong ties to the NYC area. They include Michael Coyle, general manager at Peelle NYC; Carlos Escobar of Hyperion Solutions; Josh Simpson, technical support manager for GAL Manufacturing in the Bronx; and Michael Mancuso, field operations manager at DTM Drafting & Consulting Inc. Read the stories of these and other outstanding VT professionals in our current issue! | | | | Louis J. Mezzo Memorial Golf Outing 2025 | June 26, 2025 For more information, email John. | | 50th Annual Pop/Joe Golf Outing | 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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