Elevator World New York | July Newsletter

Volume 76 | July 2025

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.

July 2025

G-TECH ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR NEW UES RESIDENTIAL TOWER

Construction hoists traverse the exterior of the structure; photo by Michael Young for New York YIMBY.

G-Tech Elevators tells ELEVATOR WORLD it provided a two-elevator system for 288 East 88th Street, a new 24-story residential tower designed by Hill West Architects and developed by Alchemy-ABR and Azur in partnership with Carlyle Group on Manhattan's Upper East Side (UES). Slated for completion in fall 2026, the tower will be served by two overhead traction units that travel at 500 ft min, one with 3500 lb capacity making 25 stops and another with 3000 lb capacity making 23 stops. They have BTS Elevator Package packages along with GAL door equipment, Elsco roller guides, Elevator Controls controllers, Hollister-Whitney governors and safeties and Imperial machines. Reporting on construction progress on July 5, New York YIMBY said that structure will yield 96,543 ft² with 45 rental units and 2,507 ft² of ground-level retail. Amenities include a co-working space and a rooftop terrace.

VDA OPENS LARGER NEW OFFICE IN CHELSEA

(l-r) Joe Caracappa, Rob Castellano, Michael Balsamo and Eddie Rivera cut the ribbon; image courtesy of VDA.

VDA Inc. cut the ribbon on a new, 9,000-ft² office in Chelsea, Manhattan, on July 15. The new space can be used by more than 120 employees including executives, field staff, support staff and consultants with room to grow. VDA New York Metro Senior Vice President Michael Balsamo said:

"As the VDA family continues to grow, both organically and through acquisitions, opening a new, larger office gave us the chance to bring our people together under one roof. The space gives us room to expand, upgraded technology and a fresh look that reflects who we are today. Most importantly, it puts us in a better position to serve our clients smarter, faster and with the high standards they expect from VDA."

MODERN ELEVATOR PROVIDES TWO ADA UNITS FOR BROOKLYN STATION

One of the new elevators; image courtesy of MTA

Modern Elevator installed and manufactured two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant elevators at the Bay Ridge-95th Street Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) station in Brooklyn, according to MTA, which announced completion of the federally funded project in July. The general contractor was a joint venture of J-Track and TC Electric, and upgrades also included two new staircases, platforms, communications and electrical systems. The third MTA subway station to be made accessible in 2025, Bay Ridge-95th Street sees approximately 3,000 daily riders. Through coordinating with NYC Transit, the project avoided four weekends of shutdowns and saved approximately US$900,000. As a resident who pushes a stroller, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes said the elevators are "a game changer."

IN MEMORIAM: ERIC APPANA

Appana

Eric Appana, a QEI and senior field engineer for Motion Control Engineering's (MCE) New York office, passed away on June 23 at the age of 50. MCE Sales Representative Bette Hanson described Appana as "a mentor and all-around amazing man." Appana had been in the industry since 1996, first working for Richmond Elevator Co. in NYC before moving to Nouveau Elevator, also in NYC, and Centennial Elevator in Long Island City. He also worked as technology and quality assurance manager at Computerized Elevator Control Corp. of Moonachie, New Jersey, for eight years. Industry colleagues showed an outpouring of sympathy upon hearing the news on LinkedIn. Champion Elevator President Don Gelestino said Appana brought much joy and laughter to those who knew him. North American Elevator Sales Manager Lisa Nicki-Perry said, in addition to being a true friend, Appana was "an incredible source of knowledge and an industry expert whose oversight, assistance and generosity will never be forgotten."

VANTAGE ANNOUNCES KUZDZAL AS NEW COO

Kuzdzal

Vantage Elevator Solutions, headquartered in the Bronx, on July 7 announced Mike Kuzdzal as new chief operating officer (COO). Kuzdzal assumes COO duties from former COO Mike Kohout, who has retired. Kuzdzal brings nearly 30 years of multi-site global experience in metals manufacturing and assembly, with a focus on the aerospace and lifting/rigging industries. His specialties include safety, quality, Lean manufacturing and supply chain management. During his career, Kuzdzal advanced through various leadership positions, culminating in his role as COO of lifting/rigging specialist The Crosby Group and president of ACCO Material Handling Solutions. Vantage looks forward to Kuzdzal's "significant contributions to the company."

U.S. OFFICE MARKET DEALS HIT US$40 BILLION AS VACANCY DROPS

Accounting for 71% of total deals, premium and Class A office space led an office market sales rebound as transaction volume climbed 69% over the past four quarters to US$40 billion, The Real Deal reports. Particularly hot major markets include Manhattan, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Dallas. The U.S. office market experienced its fourth consecutive quarter decline in vacancy rates, falling to 23.2%. Available space shrank by 10.2 million ft². Despite the uptick, leasing volume remains below pre-pandemic levels with a total of 138 million ft² leased in the first six months of 2025 — 16.2% shy of pre-COVID averages.

TWO MODERNIZED ELEVATORS OPEN ON UPPER WEST SIDE

Two new elevators recently opened for riders at the 66th Street-Lincoln Center 1 train station on the Upper West Side, the West Side Rag reports. The new elevators were funded by the Federal Transit Administration, and the work included full replacement of the elevator cab and the shaft, along with two new elevator head houses on the street level; equipment updates for a smoother and more reliable ride; replacement and modernization of all elevator machine room equipment; and upgrades to the remote-monitoring equipment, intercom system and cameras to enhance security and allow crews to respond quicker if the elevator goes out of service. The accessibility project at the station has been in the works since January 2024. The train station was among the first in NYC to receive upgrades, repairs and a deep cleaning last year as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Re-NEW-vation Program.

FIFTH AVENUE CO-OP LEADS MANHATTAN LUXURY DEALS

825 Fifth Avenue; image courtesy of City Realty

A full-floor, 15th-story apartment at 825 Fifth Avenue, a 23-story luxury co-op designed by James E.R. Carpenter and completed in 1927, was the priciest of 19 properties in excess of US$4 million to change hands in Manhattan during a recent week with a most recent asking price of US$35 million, The Real Deal New York reports. With amenities including elevator men and a private restaurant, the three-bedroom apartment was purchased by Suburban Collection CEO and former Morocco Ambassador David Fischer and his wife. The unit features four bathrooms, a solarium, two terraces and views of Central Park.

SEALEY PROMOTED TO VP OF SALES AT LIFTKEEPER

Sealey

Liftkeeper, an elevator business software company headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, has promoted Shae Sealey to vice president (VP) of sales. With nearly 10 years' experience as an elevator industry professional in NYC, Sealey says he is now "channeling that energy into driving continuous improvement at Liftkeeper." Before joining Liftkeeper as product and sales manager, Sealey held project management roles at Otis, Schindler and TK Elevator, all in the NYC area. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a minor in business administration. Designed specifically for the elevator industry, Liftkeeper software connects office operations and field mechanics, providing tailored solutions that meet unique reporting and operational needs.

ELEVATOR ENTHUSIAST ENJOYS TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO NYC

Ober with the VDA team; image courtesy of Logan Ober

Logan Ober, a well-known elevator enthusiast who lives in California and founded the Elevator Database, this month enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to NYC thanks to a sponsorship from VDA Inc. Ober visited and toured VDA's new Manhattan office and some of the most amazing vertical-transportation systems in the world including at the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. He also soaked in some history at properties like 70 Pine Street, known for its unique Art Deco design and its history with double-deck elevators — a first for the city, and Macy's Herald Square with its famous wooden escalators. Ober thanked a slew of companies and individuals for helping him along the way, including VDA, Schindler, Otis, KONE, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Otis President and CEO Judy Marks, "Your Elevator Pal" Ed Jacovino and VDA Senior Vice President Bobby Kemple. A systems engineer, Ober hopes to one day join the industry!

TYLER STARTS NEW POSITION AS WURTEC NORTHEAST REGION MANAGER

Chuck Tyler, a vertical-transportation industry professional with nearly 40 years' experience, has been named Wurtec Northeast region manager. "It's a fantastic opportunity to put the experiences I've gained so far in my journey to work in a new chapter, and I'm truly thankful to the Wurtec family for the warm welcome," Tyler said. Tyler joins Wurtec from Phoenix Modular Elevator Inc., where he most recently served as an advisor and board member. Earlier in his career, Tyler held roles including regional director of modernization for TK Elevator (TKE) in the Northeast for nearly five years and vice president of new installation operations over New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New England for more than six years. He began his VT career with Otis as an elevator installer in Arizona and Mississippi in the 1980s.

NAEC WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER SPERRY MITCHELL & CO.

The National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) this month welcomed Sperry Mitchel & Co. as a new associate member. Located at 595 Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, Sperry Mitchell was founded in 1986 to provide private companies with merger and acquisition expertise. In June, the company served as exclusive advisor to Bronx-based Start Elevator in its acquisition by APi Group. Hirschler Law served as Start's legal representation for the transaction. Since its founding, Sperry Mitchell has completed hundreds of transactions with values ranging from US$25 million to US$550 million.

SIX 99-UNIT BUILDINGS COMING TO JAMAICA, QUEENS

"Relatively unknown" local developer Amy Weinstock has filed plans to build six 99-unit residential buildings on 165th Street between 89th and Jamaica avenues in Jamaica, Queens, The Real Deal New York reports. FBE Ltd., a company associated with the Fruchthandler family, bought the parcels in 2022 for US$51.5 million. The structures would be built under New York State's 485x program, which provides property tax exemptions for new multi-unit buildings and eligible conversions. The program makes larger buildings more expensive to build, with property developers getting a tax abatement for including affordable units but also being required to pay a US$40 per hour minimum construction wage if a building houses more than 99 units.

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.

NYC AREA VT EXPERTS TO PRESENT EDUCATION SESSIONS AT NAEC IN HOUSTON

In addition to the tradeshow floor with more than 200 exhibitors, the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) 2025 Convention and Exposition in Houston, Texas, on September 15-18 will offer an array of in-depth education sessions including ones led by NYC area vertical-transportation (VT) experts. These include "Elevator Maintenance Reimagined: Implementing Task-Based Preventive Maintenance Strategies Leveraging IoT for Enhanced Equipment Care Sales Opportunities and the Customer Experience" by Christopher Short of South Jersey Elevator; "AI in the Elevator Industry" by Vantage Elevator Solutions Director of Marketing Dan Walsh; "The Impact of Globalization on the U.S.A. Market" by Don Gelestino of Champion Elevator; and "Safety Absolute #14: Lockout/Tagout & Controller Circuitry" by Ray Downs, who retired as senior vice president of environmental health and safety at TEI Group. For the full agenda, including education sessions, visit website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

50^th Annual Pop/Joe Golf Outing

Old Brookville, New York

September 8, 2025

For more information, visit website.

NAEC 76th Annual Convention & Exposition

Houston, Texas

September 14-17
For more information, visit naec.org.

Wisconsin Elevator Symposium

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

September 25-26
For more information, visit naesai.org.

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.