Elevator World

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

thyssenkrupp Elevator has named Michael Cesarz, an architect with extensive experience in the Middle East, Turkey and Europe, CEO of MULTI, which will now be considered a separate business unit. Cesarz designed structures such as Meydan Mall in Istanbul and The Edge office building in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In Dubai, Cesarz designed more than 20 subsidiaries of the Majid Al Futtaim shopping-mall chain, of which he was CEO, throughout the Middle East. Prior to this, he oversaw the real-estate business unit and asset management for METRO Group, based in Dusseldorf, Germany. In addition to his architectural expertise, Cesarz is considered a specialist in development, project management and business operations.

 

At 140 m, or approximately 42 stories, an office tower Netherlands developer OVG Real Estate plans to build near the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin will be among the tallest in the city, Berliner Kurier reports. Its Danish design features a series of stair-like slits housing small, green terraces, space for restaurants and cafés and a publicly accessible rooftop terrace. There will be approximately 50,00 m2 of office space. Completion of the EUR400-million (US$469-million) development, located in the Friedrichshain-Kreusberg borough, is anticipated in 2021.

 

Residents of a 25-story condominium building at 59 East Liberty Street in Toronto are frustrated by frequent outages of the building’s three elevators and hope Ontario’s recently passed Access to Consumer Credit Reports and Elevator Availability Act will eventually alleviate problems, The Globe and Mail reports. On May 13, none of the building’s three elevators were operational, one has been out of service for nearly a year, and the other two “have been behaving erratically.” Residents say they have been trapped, and at least one person had to be rescued by emergency responders. Pointing to issues such as lack of qualified technicians and the “big four” OEMs controlling 75% of Ontario’s elevators, the source noted condominium buildings have the lowest rate of availability — 93% — compared with commercial and institutional buildings, which have about 95% availability. Otis, which maintains the elevators at the Liberty Street building, said it has prioritized addressing problems there, which was confirmed by the condo board.

 

Mexico's CRAFT Architectos has presented a plan to build a 126-m-tall, 36-story residential tower in the Bosque Real development in Huixquilucan, part of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, Obras reports. It is called Core 31 for its structural core, which will contain elevators, halls and secondary bedrooms for 31 apartments. The "aerodynamic" design allows for seismic activity and provides 360˚ views of the surrounding urban area. The distribution of terraces creates a sensation of torsion and movement. CRAFT director Alan Rahmane said the core "gives the necessary rigidity to the whole and is a backbone that provides stability and anchors the building. . . ."

 

The Sydney suburb of Parramatta has approved developer Dexus Office Partnership’s plan to build a 33-story office tower at 140 George Street, The Urban Developer reports. Initially pitched in 2017, the development is designed by Bates Smart with large, contiguous floorplates that allow flexibility within its 45,800 m2. Dexus, which has other developments in Parramatta, describes its latest project as a “world-class office building” that will bolster Parramatta’s reputation as a good place to invest and do business. Tenants will enjoy views of the river and the Sydney central business district.

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

thyssenkrupp Elevator has named Michael Cesarz, an architect with extensive experience in the Middle East, Turkey and Europe, CEO of MULTI, which will now be considered a separate business unit. Cesarz designed structures such as Meydan Mall in Istanbul and The Edge office building in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In Dubai, Cesarz designed more than 20 subsidiaries of the Majid Al Futtaim shopping-mall chain, of which he was CEO, throughout the Middle East. Prior to this, he oversaw the real-estate business unit and asset management for METRO Group, based in Dusseldorf, Germany. In addition to his architectural expertise, Cesarz is considered a specialist in development, project management and business operations.

 

At 140 m, or approximately 42 stories, an office tower Netherlands developer OVG Real Estate plans to build near the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin will be among the tallest in the city, Berliner Kurier reports. Its Danish design features a series of stair-like slits housing small, green terraces, space for restaurants and cafés and a publicly accessible rooftop terrace. There will be approximately 50,00 m2 of office space. Completion of the EUR400-million (US$469-million) development, located in the Friedrichshain-Kreusberg borough, is anticipated in 2021.

 

Residents of a 25-story condominium building at 59 East Liberty Street in Toronto are frustrated by frequent outages of the building’s three elevators and hope Ontario’s recently passed Access to Consumer Credit Reports and Elevator Availability Act will eventually alleviate problems, The Globe and Mail reports. On May 13, none of the building’s three elevators were operational, one has been out of service for nearly a year, and the other two “have been behaving erratically.” Residents say they have been trapped, and at least one person had to be rescued by emergency responders. Pointing to issues such as lack of qualified technicians and the “big four” OEMs controlling 75% of Ontario’s elevators, the source noted condominium buildings have the lowest rate of availability — 93% — compared with commercial and institutional buildings, which have about 95% availability. Otis, which maintains the elevators at the Liberty Street building, said it has prioritized addressing problems there, which was confirmed by the condo board.

 

Mexico's CRAFT Architectos has presented a plan to build a 126-m-tall, 36-story residential tower in the Bosque Real development in Huixquilucan, part of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, Obras reports. It is called Core 31 for its structural core, which will contain elevators, halls and secondary bedrooms for 31 apartments. The "aerodynamic" design allows for seismic activity and provides 360˚ views of the surrounding urban area. The distribution of terraces creates a sensation of torsion and movement. CRAFT director Alan Rahmane said the core "gives the necessary rigidity to the whole and is a backbone that provides stability and anchors the building. . . ."

 

The Sydney suburb of Parramatta has approved developer Dexus Office Partnership’s plan to build a 33-story office tower at 140 George Street, The Urban Developer reports. Initially pitched in 2017, the development is designed by Bates Smart with large, contiguous floorplates that allow flexibility within its 45,800 m2. Dexus, which has other developments in Parramatta, describes its latest project as a “world-class office building” that will bolster Parramatta’s reputation as a good place to invest and do business. Tenants will enjoy views of the river and the Sydney central business district.

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

thyssenkrupp Elevator has named Michael Cesarz, an architect with extensive experience in the Middle East, Turkey and Europe, CEO of MULTI, which will now be considered a separate business unit. Cesarz designed structures such as Meydan Mall in Istanbul and The Edge office building in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In Dubai, Cesarz designed more than 20 subsidiaries of the Majid Al Futtaim shopping-mall chain, of which he was CEO, throughout the Middle East. Prior to this, he oversaw the real-estate business unit and asset management for METRO Group, based in Dusseldorf, Germany. In addition to his architectural expertise, Cesarz is considered a specialist in development, project management and business operations.

 

At 140 m, or approximately 42 stories, an office tower Netherlands developer OVG Real Estate plans to build near the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin will be among the tallest in the city, Berliner Kurier reports. Its Danish design features a series of stair-like slits housing small, green terraces, space for restaurants and cafés and a publicly accessible rooftop terrace. There will be approximately 50,00 m2 of office space. Completion of the EUR400-million (US$469-million) development, located in the Friedrichshain-Kreusberg borough, is anticipated in 2021.

 

Residents of a 25-story condominium building at 59 East Liberty Street in Toronto are frustrated by frequent outages of the building’s three elevators and hope Ontario’s recently passed Access to Consumer Credit Reports and Elevator Availability Act will eventually alleviate problems, The Globe and Mail reports. On May 13, none of the building’s three elevators were operational, one has been out of service for nearly a year, and the other two “have been behaving erratically.” Residents say they have been trapped, and at least one person had to be rescued by emergency responders. Pointing to issues such as lack of qualified technicians and the “big four” OEMs controlling 75% of Ontario’s elevators, the source noted condominium buildings have the lowest rate of availability — 93% — compared with commercial and institutional buildings, which have about 95% availability. Otis, which maintains the elevators at the Liberty Street building, said it has prioritized addressing problems there, which was confirmed by the condo board.

 

Mexico's CRAFT Architectos has presented a plan to build a 126-m-tall, 36-story residential tower in the Bosque Real development in Huixquilucan, part of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, Obras reports. It is called Core 31 for its structural core, which will contain elevators, halls and secondary bedrooms for 31 apartments. The "aerodynamic" design allows for seismic activity and provides 360˚ views of the surrounding urban area. The distribution of terraces creates a sensation of torsion and movement. CRAFT director Alan Rahmane said the core "gives the necessary rigidity to the whole and is a backbone that provides stability and anchors the building. . . ."

 

The Sydney suburb of Parramatta has approved developer Dexus Office Partnership’s plan to build a 33-story office tower at 140 George Street, The Urban Developer reports. Initially pitched in 2017, the development is designed by Bates Smart with large, contiguous floorplates that allow flexibility within its 45,800 m2. Dexus, which has other developments in Parramatta, describes its latest project as a “world-class office building” that will bolster Parramatta’s reputation as a good place to invest and do business. Tenants will enjoy views of the river and the Sydney central business district.

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

NEARLY 30 NEW LIFTS PLANNED AT BANGKOK TRANSIT STATIONS

After hundreds of formal complaints from disabled-rights groups and demand for compensation amounting to approximately US$11.8 million, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says it plans to install 29 lifts at Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) SkyTrain stations — 19 for people with disabilities and 10 general purpose, the Bangkok Post reports. BTS said it is investing approximately US$7.9 million to add 19 disabled-access lifts at 16 stations along the Green Line and 10 additional lifts at five additional stations. The Administrative Court ruled in 2015 that BMA and BTS make disabled-friendly improvements at 23 stations along the Sukhumvit Line within one year. Those adjustments are still incomplete, and the disabled-rights community remains skeptical of the latest plan.

LINDQUIST APPOINTED ALIMAK GROUP CFO

Tobias Lindquist has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO) of Alimak Group and a member of its management team, effective, at the latest, September 1. He currently is CFO at international education company English First (EF) and has been based in China for the past 10 years. Prior to that he held various positions at EF, 3IC Inc. and Ericsson. He holds BA degrees from Stockholm and Middlesex universities. Interim CFO Stefan Rinaldo will remain on as chief operational officer.

INDIAN LIGHTHOUSE MAKEOVERS TO INCLUDE ELEVATORS

The Indian government plans to transform 78 lighthouses in scenic locations into tourist attractions, with facilities including elevators, watersports facilities and restaurants, The Economic Times reports. Private partners will be enlisted to set up and maintain the tourism facilities, and The Directorate of General Lighthouses and Lightships will install the elevators. The government is seeking to identify 10 lighthouses with the potential to attract good footfall. Lighthouses near Mumbai and between India and Sri Lanka are among those being considered. The lighthouses are part of a larger plan to boost coastal tourism.

UNATTENDED TODDLER INJURES HAND IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

A toddler and his older brother were playing unattended on an escalator in a shopping mall in Zunyi City, southwestern China, when the younger child’s hand became trapped in the machinery, various news outlets, including The Sun, reported on May 22. Video footage shows the toddler lying face down as he’s carried up the escalator. One of his hands then became trapped in the metal floor panel at the top of the unit. Staff hit the emergency-stop button, and firefighters dismantled the floor-panel skirt to free the child’s hand. He was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

HIGH-RISE PROJECT WINS APPROVAL IN MELBOURNE

A high-rise development in Melbourne has won planning approval to begin construction, The Urban Developer reports. The AUD450-million (US$341-million), two-building project in the Queen Victoria Precinct will bring 300 apartment units (including 56 affordable homes) and a hotel. The plans, which were unveiled in 2017, include 38- and 10-story towers under development by PDG Corp., and construction is expected to begin in July. The city purchased the site in 2014 and will undertake millions of dollars in public-space improvements, including laneways and spaces for events. Site work has begun in preparation for construction beginning in July.

Image: via Drajay1976

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamban_Lighthouse#/media/File:Pamban_lighthouse,_Rameswaram.jpg

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

NEARLY 30 NEW LIFTS PLANNED AT BANGKOK TRANSIT STATIONS

After hundreds of formal complaints from disabled-rights groups and demand for compensation amounting to approximately US$11.8 million, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says it plans to install 29 lifts at Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) SkyTrain stations — 19 for people with disabilities and 10 general purpose, the Bangkok Post reports. BTS said it is investing approximately US$7.9 million to add 19 disabled-access lifts at 16 stations along the Green Line and 10 additional lifts at five additional stations. The Administrative Court ruled in 2015 that BMA and BTS make disabled-friendly improvements at 23 stations along the Sukhumvit Line within one year. Those adjustments are still incomplete, and the disabled-rights community remains skeptical of the latest plan.

LINDQUIST APPOINTED ALIMAK GROUP CFO

Tobias Lindquist has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO) of Alimak Group and a member of its management team, effective, at the latest, September 1. He currently is CFO at international education company English First (EF) and has been based in China for the past 10 years. Prior to that he held various positions at EF, 3IC Inc. and Ericsson. He holds BA degrees from Stockholm and Middlesex universities. Interim CFO Stefan Rinaldo will remain on as chief operational officer.

INDIAN LIGHTHOUSE MAKEOVERS TO INCLUDE ELEVATORS

The Indian government plans to transform 78 lighthouses in scenic locations into tourist attractions, with facilities including elevators, watersports facilities and restaurants, The Economic Times reports. Private partners will be enlisted to set up and maintain the tourism facilities, and The Directorate of General Lighthouses and Lightships will install the elevators. The government is seeking to identify 10 lighthouses with the potential to attract good footfall. Lighthouses near Mumbai and between India and Sri Lanka are among those being considered. The lighthouses are part of a larger plan to boost coastal tourism.

UNATTENDED TODDLER INJURES HAND IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

A toddler and his older brother were playing unattended on an escalator in a shopping mall in Zunyi City, southwestern China, when the younger child’s hand became trapped in the machinery, various news outlets, including The Sun, reported on May 22. Video footage shows the toddler lying face down as he’s carried up the escalator. One of his hands then became trapped in the metal floor panel at the top of the unit. Staff hit the emergency-stop button, and firefighters dismantled the floor-panel skirt to free the child’s hand. He was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

HIGH-RISE PROJECT WINS APPROVAL IN MELBOURNE

A high-rise development in Melbourne has won planning approval to begin construction, The Urban Developer reports. The AUD450-million (US$341-million), two-building project in the Queen Victoria Precinct will bring 300 apartment units (including 56 affordable homes) and a hotel. The plans, which were unveiled in 2017, include 38- and 10-story towers under development by PDG Corp., and construction is expected to begin in July. The city purchased the site in 2014 and will undertake millions of dollars in public-space improvements, including laneways and spaces for events. Site work has begun in preparation for construction beginning in July.

Image: via Drajay1976

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamban_Lighthouse#/media/File:Pamban_lighthouse,_Rameswaram.jpg

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

NEARLY 30 NEW LIFTS PLANNED AT BANGKOK TRANSIT STATIONS

After hundreds of formal complaints from disabled-rights groups and demand for compensation amounting to approximately US$11.8 million, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says it plans to install 29 lifts at Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) SkyTrain stations — 19 for people with disabilities and 10 general purpose, the Bangkok Post reports. BTS said it is investing approximately US$7.9 million to add 19 disabled-access lifts at 16 stations along the Green Line and 10 additional lifts at five additional stations. The Administrative Court ruled in 2015 that BMA and BTS make disabled-friendly improvements at 23 stations along the Sukhumvit Line within one year. Those adjustments are still incomplete, and the disabled-rights community remains skeptical of the latest plan.

LINDQUIST APPOINTED ALIMAK GROUP CFO

Tobias Lindquist has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO) of Alimak Group and a member of its management team, effective, at the latest, September 1. He currently is CFO at international education company English First (EF) and has been based in China for the past 10 years. Prior to that he held various positions at EF, 3IC Inc. and Ericsson. He holds BA degrees from Stockholm and Middlesex universities. Interim CFO Stefan Rinaldo will remain on as chief operational officer.

INDIAN LIGHTHOUSE MAKEOVERS TO INCLUDE ELEVATORS

The Indian government plans to transform 78 lighthouses in scenic locations into tourist attractions, with facilities including elevators, watersports facilities and restaurants, The Economic Times reports. Private partners will be enlisted to set up and maintain the tourism facilities, and The Directorate of General Lighthouses and Lightships will install the elevators. The government is seeking to identify 10 lighthouses with the potential to attract good footfall. Lighthouses near Mumbai and between India and Sri Lanka are among those being considered. The lighthouses are part of a larger plan to boost coastal tourism.

UNATTENDED TODDLER INJURES HAND IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

A toddler and his older brother were playing unattended on an escalator in a shopping mall in Zunyi City, southwestern China, when the younger child’s hand became trapped in the machinery, various news outlets, including The Sun, reported on May 22. Video footage shows the toddler lying face down as he’s carried up the escalator. One of his hands then became trapped in the metal floor panel at the top of the unit. Staff hit the emergency-stop button, and firefighters dismantled the floor-panel skirt to free the child’s hand. He was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

HIGH-RISE PROJECT WINS APPROVAL IN MELBOURNE

A high-rise development in Melbourne has won planning approval to begin construction, The Urban Developer reports. The AUD450-million (US$341-million), two-building project in the Queen Victoria Precinct will bring 300 apartment units (including 56 affordable homes) and a hotel. The plans, which were unveiled in 2017, include 38- and 10-story towers under development by PDG Corp., and construction is expected to begin in July. The city purchased the site in 2014 and will undertake millions of dollars in public-space improvements, including laneways and spaces for events. Site work has begun in preparation for construction beginning in July.

Image: via Drajay1976

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamban_Lighthouse#/media/File:Pamban_lighthouse,_Rameswaram.jpg

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

To view and download today's news manuscript, visit:

http://elevatorworld.com/pdf/podcast/052418.pdf

Image courtesy worldarchitecturenews.com via Herzog & de Meuron:

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/2018/28675/herzog-de-meuron/gasklockan-in-stockholm.html

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

To view and download today's news manuscript, visit:

http://elevatorworld.com/pdf/podcast/052418.pdf

Image courtesy worldarchitecturenews.com via Herzog & de Meuron:

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/2018/28675/herzog-de-meuron/gasklockan-in-stockholm.html

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

To view and download today's news manuscript, visit:

http://elevatorworld.com/pdf/podcast/052418.pdf

Image courtesy worldarchitecturenews.com via Herzog & de Meuron:

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/2018/28675/herzog-de-meuron/gasklockan-in-stockholm.html

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn

Welcome to the Elevator World News Podcast. This week’s news podcast is sponsored by elevatorbooks.com: http://www.elevatorbooks.com

TAXPAYER-FUNDED ELEVATOR PROJECT SCRUTINIZED IN BOSTON

WCVB Channel 5 in Boston is questioning more than US$483,000 in change orders on a taxpayer-funded US$10.3-million elevator modernization underway at the historic Massachusetts State House in downtown Boston. The 16 new elevators feature bronze fixtures, cherry laminate and marble-tiled floors. The change orders involved changing the state seals mounted in each elevator from flat to textured, adding a color inside the freight elevator, installing marble tile on the floors, hiring a technician for an after-hours event and creating custom bronze plates to cover holes created when old fixtures were removed. The state government says an extra US$1 million was budgeted for change orders, and that the project is on budget.

DENMARK’S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TO TAKE SHAPE

Danish engineering firm Ramboll has announced the team that will deliver Denmark's tallest residential building, a 44-story tower on the harbor in Aarhus that will form the second phase of Lighthouse, an existing low-rise residential development. Architects 3XN, which designed Lighthouse, drew inspiration for the façade from the light reflected on the surrounding water. The team will use a foundation that addresses ground-condition challenges and enables an additional four floors. In a departure from traditional Danish precast concrete, traditional reinforced concrete will be used, allowing for a "shorter build time and lighter superstructure." Norcap is the developer and Aarsleff is the general contractor. Construction is expected to start this year and be complete by 2021.

JAPANESE CASTLE RESTORATION SANS ELEVATORS RAISES IRE

Restoring the 17th-century Nagoya Castle in central Japan without elevators has raised the ire of disability-rights activists, who call it a violation of human rights, Japan Today reports. Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura wants to rebuild the castle’s concrete main tower in 2022 using wood and following original 17th-century methods that did not include elevators. An archeologist pointed out there are many other features, such as a concrete foundation and electrical wiring, the original structure did not have. The city says it plans to introduce an elevator alternative using “new technologies” but did not elaborate.

SHARIF AL-GAMAL’S 45 PARK PLACE RISING IN LOWER MANHATTAN

45 Park Place, a 43-story, 667-ft.-tall luxury residential tower, is on track for a 2019 completion in Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York YIMBY reports. Developed by Sharif El-Gamal’s Soho Properties, the building was designed by SOMA Architects with Ismael Leyva as the architect of record with a glassy exterior, mullioned setbacks and reinforced concrete core. Prices start at US$1.92 million and top out at US$41 million for a duplex penthouse with a private terrace. Expected to soon be visible from the 9/11 Memorial, 45 Park Place will also have an outdoor courtyard leading to an Islamic cultural center designed by Jean Nouvel.

OUTDOOR ESCALATORS AT TEXAS AIRPORT TO BE REPAIRED

The City of Abilene in central Texas has approved a US$276,000 project to repair the outdoor escalators at Abilene Regional Airport, and expects to have them up and running by the end of July, KTXS Channel 12 reports. The units were installed 10 years ago and have been out of service for more than a year. The city looked at installing elevators but found that option cost prohibitive, opting instead for repairing the escalators to “like-new” condition with a one-year warranty and three-year maintenance agreement. One city lawmaker said installing outdoor escalators at the airport was “one of the biggest mistakes the city ever made.”

Image courtesy en.wikipedia.org:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya_Castle

Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes│Google Play | SoundCloud│Stitcher│TuneIn