Elevator World

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

IN MEMORIAM: LEONARD CHRISTIAAN HOUWEN

Leonard Christiaan "Len" Houwen, who worked for The Peelle Co. for 44 years and was a longtime member of the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association, passed away on April 27 at age 66. Houwen began his career at the Peelle factory in Brampton, Ontario, in the interlock division before moving on to a sales position. He eventually became sales manager for Canada. Peelle said of Houwen: “His attention to detail and depth of knowledge about our quoting process proved invaluable when it came time to modernize our price books with a computerized quote tool. Len created one of the most important devices we use today to quote jobs and secure orders. He was an integral part of the success of the company." Condolences and donations in Houwen's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society may be made online at Goulet Funeral Home.

GAL TO HOST ESL PROGRAM

GAL has announced plans to partner with Lehman College of Bronx, New York, to create an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) program for employees with an interest in improving their communications skills. The company noted that its primary manufacturing location is based within one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the US, where more than half of residents’ primary language is other than English. President and CEO of GAL Mark Boelhouwer, who GAL says was instrumental in pursuing the program, believes it will benefit both employees and the company as it enhances the reading, writing, listening and speaking language skills of the students. All courses will be provided at GAL’s premises at no charge.

MANHATTAN SKYSCRAPER ENTERS SUPERTALL CATEGORY

Central Park Tower (CPT), also known as Nordstrom Tower for the flagship store at its base, has entered supertall territory at 984 of an eventual 1,550 ft. above ground at 217 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York YIMBY reports. Scheduled for completion by 2020, the tower, being developed by Extell Development Co. and Shanghai Municipal Investment Group and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, will have lots of company as numerous luxury skyscrapers are being built along what’s being called Billionaires Row. Distinguished by becoming the tallest building by roof height and the tallest residential building in the U.S., the 99-story CPT will contain 179 condominiums, the most expensive of which will be a US$95-million penthouse.

CIBSE LIFTS GROUP MEETING COMING UP

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Lifts Group will be meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Manchester, U.K., on May 23 at 5 p.m. Following refreshments, Adam Scott, CIBSE representative on the BSI MHE/4 Lifts Committee, will introduce the new suite of BS 8486 test standards and review BS 8486-3: 2017 and how it relates to other British Standards. Then, Dr. Gina Barney, Institution of Electrical Engineers (Institution of Engineering and Technology) representative on MHE/4 will present “How Do You Comment on Standards,” explaining that to comment on standards is not difficult if a “standard” procedure is followed. There is no charge to attend, although those planning to should register.

Image courtesy newyorkyimby.com:

https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/04/central-park-tower-countrys-tallest-building-under-construction-officially-reaches-supertall-territory.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

IN MEMORIAM: LEONARD CHRISTIAAN HOUWEN

Leonard Christiaan "Len" Houwen, who worked for The Peelle Co. for 44 years and was a longtime member of the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association, passed away on April 27 at age 66. Houwen began his career at the Peelle factory in Brampton, Ontario, in the interlock division before moving on to a sales position. He eventually became sales manager for Canada. Peelle said of Houwen: “His attention to detail and depth of knowledge about our quoting process proved invaluable when it came time to modernize our price books with a computerized quote tool. Len created one of the most important devices we use today to quote jobs and secure orders. He was an integral part of the success of the company." Condolences and donations in Houwen's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society may be made online at Goulet Funeral Home.

GAL TO HOST ESL PROGRAM

GAL has announced plans to partner with Lehman College of Bronx, New York, to create an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) program for employees with an interest in improving their communications skills. The company noted that its primary manufacturing location is based within one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the US, where more than half of residents’ primary language is other than English. President and CEO of GAL Mark Boelhouwer, who GAL says was instrumental in pursuing the program, believes it will benefit both employees and the company as it enhances the reading, writing, listening and speaking language skills of the students. All courses will be provided at GAL’s premises at no charge.

MANHATTAN SKYSCRAPER ENTERS SUPERTALL CATEGORY

Central Park Tower (CPT), also known as Nordstrom Tower for the flagship store at its base, has entered supertall territory at 984 of an eventual 1,550 ft. above ground at 217 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York YIMBY reports. Scheduled for completion by 2020, the tower, being developed by Extell Development Co. and Shanghai Municipal Investment Group and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, will have lots of company as numerous luxury skyscrapers are being built along what’s being called Billionaires Row. Distinguished by becoming the tallest building by roof height and the tallest residential building in the U.S., the 99-story CPT will contain 179 condominiums, the most expensive of which will be a US$95-million penthouse.

CIBSE LIFTS GROUP MEETING COMING UP

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Lifts Group will be meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Manchester, U.K., on May 23 at 5 p.m. Following refreshments, Adam Scott, CIBSE representative on the BSI MHE/4 Lifts Committee, will introduce the new suite of BS 8486 test standards and review BS 8486-3: 2017 and how it relates to other British Standards. Then, Dr. Gina Barney, Institution of Electrical Engineers (Institution of Engineering and Technology) representative on MHE/4 will present “How Do You Comment on Standards,” explaining that to comment on standards is not difficult if a “standard” procedure is followed. There is no charge to attend, although those planning to should register.

Image courtesy newyorkyimby.com:

https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/04/central-park-tower-countrys-tallest-building-under-construction-officially-reaches-supertall-territory.html

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

IN MEMORIAM: EDITH JOYCE JAMES

Edith Joyce James, a pioneer for women in the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, passed away on January 12 at her son's home in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 91. James began her VT career in St. Louis in 1971 with William A. Miller Machine & Elevator, going on to run the company. She founded James Elevator in St. Louis, then enjoyed a 28-year career in structural steel as owner/operator of J&J Steel Erectors, also in St. Louis. James inspired her son, Lester Appel, to pursue an elevator career. Appel described his mom as "a larger-than-life personality" who was a fixture at National Association of Elevator Contractors conventions for many years. James is survived by her children, Lester and Andrea, and four grandchildren. Appel invites those who knew James to a celebration of her life at Moulin Events, 2017 Chouteau Avenue, in St. Louis on June 3. People may RSVP to Rose Appel at (503) 407-1073 or Mariam Appel at [email protected].

NYC GETTING ITS FIRST MARGARITAVILLE IN TIMES SQUARE

New York City’s (NYC) first Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is coming to a vacant site at 560 Seventh Avenue in Times Square, New York YIMBY reports. Being developed by Soho Properties in partnership with Chip, Andrew Weiss, and MHP Real Estate Services, the development promises to provide tourists and locals alike a laid-back experience in the heart of bustling Times Square. On the drawing boards are a 29-story, 234-room hotel, three-story restaurant, pool and rooftop bar. The US$300-million Margaritaville Resort Hotel is expected to open in late 2020. Margaritaville CEO John Cohlan described it as "the perfect complement to the exciting, fast-paced energy of Times Square."

PRIVATE ELEVATORS AMONG AMENITIES IN MONTREAL TOWER

Private elevators are among amenities Humaniti Tower, a 39-story building going up in the heart of Montreal, will boast, SkyRise Cities reports. Located where Quartier des Spectacles and Old Montreal meet, Humaniti will include approximately 160 residences on the upper floors, a Marriott hotel on the eighth through 19th floors, 57,000 sq. ft. of office space, 17,000 sq. ft. of retail and five stories of underground parking. The sleek, geometric design by Montreal architecture firm LeMay will aim for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Developers are Cogir Real Estate, DevMcGill and the Fonds de Solidarité FTQ. A summer 2020 opening is anticipated.

ORONA APPROVES FINANCIALS, CONFIRMS MERGER

Spanish manufacturer Orona approved its 2017 financial statements and confirmed the merger between Orona S. Coop. and Electra Vitoria S. Coop. on April 27. Attendees also agreed to promote the Orona UE Project, which it said "aims to strengthen the company as the only lift operator in Europe capable of competing with the top four global companies currently leading the industry." Triggered by the merger, the project is aimed at extending the values of Orona’s cooperative experience to the European level and growing the cooperative's size. Increases of both human-resources and equipment, based on its commercial network and technological capacities, are expected. As compared to the previous year, 2017 saw strong gains for the company.

IN MEMORIAM: EDITH JOYCE JAMES

Edith Joyce James, a pioneer for women in the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, passed away on January 12 at her son's home in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 91. James began her VT career in St. Louis in 1971 with William A. Miller Machine & Elevator, going on to run the company. She founded James Elevator in St. Louis, then enjoyed a 28-year career in structural steel as owner/operator of J&J Steel Erectors, also in St. Louis. James inspired her son, Lester Appel, to pursue an elevator career. Appel described his mom as "a larger-than-life personality" who was a fixture at National Association of Elevator Contractors conventions for many years. James is survived by her children, Lester and Andrea, and four grandchildren. Appel invites those who knew James to a celebration of her life at Moulin Events, 2017 Chouteau Avenue, in St. Louis on June 3. People may RSVP to Rose Appel at (503) 407-1073 or Mariam Appel at [email protected].

NYC GETTING ITS FIRST MARGARITAVILLE IN TIMES SQUARE

New York City’s (NYC) first Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is coming to a vacant site at 560 Seventh Avenue in Times Square, New York YIMBY reports. Being developed by Soho Properties in partnership with Chip, Andrew Weiss, and MHP Real Estate Services, the development promises to provide tourists and locals alike a laid-back experience in the heart of bustling Times Square. On the drawing boards are a 29-story, 234-room hotel, three-story restaurant, pool and rooftop bar. The US$300-million Margaritaville Resort Hotel is expected to open in late 2020. Margaritaville CEO John Cohlan described it as "the perfect complement to the exciting, fast-paced energy of Times Square."

PRIVATE ELEVATORS AMONG AMENITIES IN MONTREAL TOWER

Private elevators are among amenities Humaniti Tower, a 39-story building going up in the heart of Montreal, will boast, SkyRise Cities reports. Located where Quartier des Spectacles and Old Montreal meet, Humaniti will include approximately 160 residences on the upper floors, a Marriott hotel on the eighth through 19th floors, 57,000 sq. ft. of office space, 17,000 sq. ft. of retail and five stories of underground parking. The sleek, geometric design by Montreal architecture firm LeMay will aim for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Developers are Cogir Real Estate, DevMcGill and the Fonds de Solidarité FTQ. A summer 2020 opening is anticipated.

ORONA APPROVES FINANCIALS, CONFIRMS MERGER

Spanish manufacturer Orona approved its 2017 financial statements and confirmed the merger between Orona S. Coop. and Electra Vitoria S. Coop. on April 27. Attendees also agreed to promote the Orona UE Project, which it said "aims to strengthen the company as the only lift operator in Europe capable of competing with the top four global companies currently leading the industry." Triggered by the merger, the project is aimed at extending the values of Orona’s cooperative experience to the European level and growing the cooperative's size. Increases of both human-resources and equipment, based on its commercial network and technological capacities, are expected. As compared to the previous year, 2017 saw strong gains for the company.

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

SHENZHEN’S “LATEST VERTICAL ICON” BY KPF NEARLY COMPLETE

The 67-story, 400-m-tall China Resources Headquarters, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in a new business district in Shenzhen, China, is almost complete, with the exterior finished and interior fitout underway, dezeen reports. Its tapered design resembles Foster + Partners’ "Gherkin" in London, with 59 steel columns that converge at the base and top to form a diagrid pattern and allow for column-free space for tenants. KPF, which has designed some of the world's tallest buildings, described it as "Shenzhen's latest vertical icon," known locally by the nickname Spring Bamboo due to its resemblance to a bamboo shoot.

BIG-DESIGNED PROJECT WITH TWISTING TOWERS ON TRACK IN NYC

The Eleventh, a Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed project described by developer HFZ Capital as a "micro neighborhood" along the High Line in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City (NYC) is progressing nicely, with completion anticipated by the end of 2019, The Architect's Newspaper reports. Including pavilions under the High Line and a park that extends to street level, The Eleventh is distinguished by a pair of 36- and 26-story travertine-clad towers that twist to maximize views for residents and guests of a Six Senses hotel. Also involving landscape and interior designers from Paris, Switzerland and New York, the development will include the tallest buildings in West Chelsea.

CHILD IN HONG KONG ESCAPES MAJOR INJURY IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

The fast actions of firefighters and a passerby who hit the emergency stop button of an escalator in a Hong Kong mall helped a six-year-old boy avoid major injury as a result of his plastic clog becoming stuck in the machinery, the Daily Mail reported on April 25. The boy and his father were traveling from the second to first floor when the child’s shoe got stuck in a gap on the side of the unit. After the emergency-stop button was pressed, responders used crowbars to pry apart the gap and release the child, who was hospitalized with a bruised foot. The escalator was then closed for repair.

MEXICO CITY LOOKS TO GET ANOTHER TALLEST BUILDING

Mexican development company Abilia plans to resume work on Reforma 432, an office building set to have 57 floors, the same as the city's current tallest building, Torre Reforma, Mexico News Daily reports. Originally in the hands of another developer and called Sky Tower, the Foster + Partners-designed project has experienced approximately seven years of delays. The 85,000 m2 in Reforma 432 will mostly be for corporate use, with 6,000 m2 set aside for commercial use. It is set to take shape at a corner on Paseo de la Reforma Boulevard next to the Diana the Huntress Fountain. A construction timeframe was not provided.

IF BUILT, MIXED-USE TOWER WOULD BE MOSCOW’S TALLEST

If built, a 108-story, 405-m-tall mixed-use tower in the Moscow International Business Center, also known as Moscow City, would be Moscow's tallest, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reports, citing information from Moscow 24 TV. A spokesman who revealed the project described it as "huge," containing offices, residences and an observation deck with 360˚ views on the 89th floor — the tallest such deck in the city. Garilov said he plans to lay the groundwork for the tower by alleviating transportation issues in 2019 and reducing wind load in Moscow City in 2020.

Image courtesy dezeen.com:

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/25/kohn-pedersen-fox-kpf-supertall-skysrcaper-china-resources-offices-shenzhen/

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

SHENZHEN’S “LATEST VERTICAL ICON” BY KPF NEARLY COMPLETE

The 67-story, 400-m-tall China Resources Headquarters, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in a new business district in Shenzhen, China, is almost complete, with the exterior finished and interior fitout underway, dezeen reports. Its tapered design resembles Foster + Partners’ "Gherkin" in London, with 59 steel columns that converge at the base and top to form a diagrid pattern and allow for column-free space for tenants. KPF, which has designed some of the world's tallest buildings, described it as "Shenzhen's latest vertical icon," known locally by the nickname Spring Bamboo due to its resemblance to a bamboo shoot.

BIG-DESIGNED PROJECT WITH TWISTING TOWERS ON TRACK IN NYC

The Eleventh, a Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed project described by developer HFZ Capital as a "micro neighborhood" along the High Line in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City (NYC) is progressing nicely, with completion anticipated by the end of 2019, The Architect's Newspaper reports. Including pavilions under the High Line and a park that extends to street level, The Eleventh is distinguished by a pair of 36- and 26-story travertine-clad towers that twist to maximize views for residents and guests of a Six Senses hotel. Also involving landscape and interior designers from Paris, Switzerland and New York, the development will include the tallest buildings in West Chelsea.

CHILD IN HONG KONG ESCAPES MAJOR INJURY IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

The fast actions of firefighters and a passerby who hit the emergency stop button of an escalator in a Hong Kong mall helped a six-year-old boy avoid major injury as a result of his plastic clog becoming stuck in the machinery, the Daily Mail reported on April 25. The boy and his father were traveling from the second to first floor when the child’s shoe got stuck in a gap on the side of the unit. After the emergency-stop button was pressed, responders used crowbars to pry apart the gap and release the child, who was hospitalized with a bruised foot. The escalator was then closed for repair.

MEXICO CITY LOOKS TO GET ANOTHER TALLEST BUILDING

Mexican development company Abilia plans to resume work on Reforma 432, an office building set to have 57 floors, the same as the city's current tallest building, Torre Reforma, Mexico News Daily reports. Originally in the hands of another developer and called Sky Tower, the Foster + Partners-designed project has experienced approximately seven years of delays. The 85,000 m2 in Reforma 432 will mostly be for corporate use, with 6,000 m2 set aside for commercial use. It is set to take shape at a corner on Paseo de la Reforma Boulevard next to the Diana the Huntress Fountain. A construction timeframe was not provided.

IF BUILT, MIXED-USE TOWER WOULD BE MOSCOW’S TALLEST

If built, a 108-story, 405-m-tall mixed-use tower in the Moscow International Business Center, also known as Moscow City, would be Moscow's tallest, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reports, citing information from Moscow 24 TV. A spokesman who revealed the project described it as "huge," containing offices, residences and an observation deck with 360˚ views on the 89th floor — the tallest such deck in the city. Garilov said he plans to lay the groundwork for the tower by alleviating transportation issues in 2019 and reducing wind load in Moscow City in 2020.

Image courtesy dezeen.com:

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/25/kohn-pedersen-fox-kpf-supertall-skysrcaper-china-resources-offices-shenzhen/

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

ONTARIO RELIABILITY ACT PASSED, BEING PUSHED

The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) stated the Ontario government is working quickly to enact Bill 8 (formerly the Reliable Elevators Act) before its upcoming election on June 7. The bill would amend the Consumer Protection Act of 2002 to require elevator contractors to complete repairs in a narrow timeframe, regardless of contractual agreement. In the last two weeks, it has undergone a second reading and had the required question-and-debate time (approximately 13 hr.). It was unanimously passed on April 23 and now goes to committee. CECA representatives and members will meet with the committee, having an opportunity to speak for 5 min. on the bill with an additional question period to outline concerns and the bill’s unintended consequences.

ECS EXPANDS CHICAGO-AREA GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION HEADQUARTERS

ECS Corp. has expanded and relocated its global distribution headquarters to 2807 South 25th Avenue in Broadview, Illinois, less than 15 mi. from Chicago. The 22,000-sq.-ft. space will house elevator and escalator parts, ECS's will-call center, administrative staff and the senior management team. The manufacturing and assembly plant continues to operate in its current location at 2741 South 21st Avenue in Broadview. Rick Milefchik, ECS president and chief operating officer, said the new distribution headquarters will allow the company to “grow organically and better utilize existing space."

DEVELOPERS UNVEIL DESIGN FOR TAMPA'S FUTURE TALLEST

Developers have unveiled plans for Riverwalk Place, a mixed-use tower that, if built as planned, will be Tampa's tallest building, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The US$350-million shimmering glass tower will hold offices, retail space and about 240 condominiums within its 50-plus stories. Developers Feldman Equities of Tampa and Two Roads Development, based in South Florida, are establishing a sales office, and, if all goes as hoped, will begin construction in 2019. Completion of the tower is expected to take about three years. The designer is the Gensler architectural firm, the projects of which include Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world.

KONE INTERIM REPORT FULL OF PREDICTIONS

KONE has released its Interim Report for January-March. The outlook is based on KONE's maintenance base and order book, as well as the market outlook. The company notes earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 10.5% of sales, impacted by a decrease in the margin of orders received in 2017, particularly in China, and higher raw-material prices. KONE estimates the latter reason is to impact its 2018 EBIT negatively by approximately EUR100 million (US$122 million), easing toward the end of the year as “pricing actions” and general productivity improvements take effect. New equipment business outside China and the service business are expected to continue to develop positively. In new equipment, the market in China is expected to decline slightly or be stable in units ordered, and competition is to remain intense. In the rest of the Asia-Pacific, the market is expected to grow, while the markets in North America and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region are expected to grow slightly. Maintenance markets are expected to see the strongest growth rate in the Asia-Pacific and to grow slightly in other regions.

DEVELOPER PLANS RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISE IN NEWARK

A developer hoping to capitalize on a trend toward high-rise residential buildings is planning a tower in Newark, New Jersey, Jersey Digs reports. The building, which would have 20-25 stories of residential space atop a six-story base, would be near the Prudential Center, Newark Penn Station and the planned Mulberry Commons Park. The plans are in a preliminary phase, and have yet to be presented to planners, the source reported. Anthony D'Agosta III of Inglese Architecture + Engineering noted, "Our developer is recognizing that the increased density is not slowing down."

ONTARIO RELIABILITY ACT PASSED, BEING PUSHED

The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) stated the Ontario government is working quickly to enact Bill 8 (formerly the Reliable Elevators Act) before its upcoming election on June 7. The bill would amend the Consumer Protection Act of 2002 to require elevator contractors to complete repairs in a narrow timeframe, regardless of contractual agreement. In the last two weeks, it has undergone a second reading and had the required question-and-debate time (approximately 13 hr.). It was unanimously passed on April 23 and now goes to committee. CECA representatives and members will meet with the committee, having an opportunity to speak for 5 min. on the bill with an additional question period to outline concerns and the bill’s unintended consequences.

ECS EXPANDS CHICAGO-AREA GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION HEADQUARTERS

ECS Corp. has expanded and relocated its global distribution headquarters to 2807 South 25th Avenue in Broadview, Illinois, less than 15 mi. from Chicago. The 22,000-sq.-ft. space will house elevator and escalator parts, ECS's will-call center, administrative staff and the senior management team. The manufacturing and assembly plant continues to operate in its current location at 2741 South 21st Avenue in Broadview. Rick Milefchik, ECS president and chief operating officer, said the new distribution headquarters will allow the company to “grow organically and better utilize existing space."

DEVELOPERS UNVEIL DESIGN FOR TAMPA'S FUTURE TALLEST

Developers have unveiled plans for Riverwalk Place, a mixed-use tower that, if built as planned, will be Tampa's tallest building, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The US$350-million shimmering glass tower will hold offices, retail space and about 240 condominiums within its 50-plus stories. Developers Feldman Equities of Tampa and Two Roads Development, based in South Florida, are establishing a sales office, and, if all goes as hoped, will begin construction in 2019. Completion of the tower is expected to take about three years. The designer is the Gensler architectural firm, the projects of which include Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world.

KONE INTERIM REPORT FULL OF PREDICTIONS

KONE has released its Interim Report for January-March. The outlook is based on KONE's maintenance base and order book, as well as the market outlook. The company notes earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 10.5% of sales, impacted by a decrease in the margin of orders received in 2017, particularly in China, and higher raw-material prices. KONE estimates the latter reason is to impact its 2018 EBIT negatively by approximately EUR100 million (US$122 million), easing toward the end of the year as “pricing actions” and general productivity improvements take effect. New equipment business outside China and the service business are expected to continue to develop positively. In new equipment, the market in China is expected to decline slightly or be stable in units ordered, and competition is to remain intense. In the rest of the Asia-Pacific, the market is expected to grow, while the markets in North America and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region are expected to grow slightly. Maintenance markets are expected to see the strongest growth rate in the Asia-Pacific and to grow slightly in other regions.

DEVELOPER PLANS RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISE IN NEWARK

A developer hoping to capitalize on a trend toward high-rise residential buildings is planning a tower in Newark, New Jersey, Jersey Digs reports. The building, which would have 20-25 stories of residential space atop a six-story base, would be near the Prudential Center, Newark Penn Station and the planned Mulberry Commons Park. The plans are in a preliminary phase, and have yet to be presented to planners, the source reported. Anthony D'Agosta III of Inglese Architecture + Engineering noted, "Our developer is recognizing that the increased density is not slowing down."

OTIS WINS WUXI METRO CONTRACT

Otis Elevator (China) Co. Ltd. will provide 102 escalators and 24/7 maintenance support to Wuxi Metro Line 3 Phase 1, in the Wuxi business hub near Shanghai. The third main line in the Wuxi network, Line 3's first phase will have 21 stations and stretch 28.5 km underground when completed in 2020. It will connect the districts of Huishan, Liangxi and Xinwu to serve key industrial areas, main rail and air transportation hubs, and the city center. Otis China will also provide the Otis Metro Maintenance Management System (OM3S®) to support Wuxi Metro. The company calls OM3S "a specialized service system that provides around-the-clock support for metro customers." Introduced to China in 2013, the system's network includes dedicated metro service offices staffed by specially trained mechanics.

DEVELOPER BREAKS GROUND ON TAMPA HOTEL TOWER

Developers have broken ground for construction of a 26-story hotel in Tampa's Water Street, a 50-acre, US$3-billion project that will transform the city's skyline, Tampa Bay Business Journal reported on April 23. The JW is only the first building of the huge project but has already been designated as the official host hotel for the Super Bowl, which the city will host in 2021. Among amenities for the tower will be Tampa Bay's highest rooftop bar. All told, developer Strategic Property Partners plans 9 million sq. ft. of commercial, residential, hospitality, educational, entertainment, cultural and retail space at Water Street Tampa, including apartment and condo towers.

NANJING SUPERTALL DETAILS RELEASED

The Yangzi Evening News recently reported on the submission of the planning and design plan for the southwest Nanjing River Fishmouth Financial Agglomeration Project in China. The first phase includes a 580-m-tall tower for the sprawling project’s “A block” in Nanjing, which would be one of the tallest in the city and positioned as a new international center in the Jiangnan District. The Southwest River Fishmouth Financial Agglomeration Area is the core area of the Hexi Central Business District, located at the junction of what are known as the “three rivers” of the Yangtze River. The total area of the project exceeds 160,000 m2.

GOODS LIFT CHOSEN FOR COLD STORAGE

Germany-based Lödige Industries has installed a goods lift for a logistic service provider building a new healthcare distribution center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The customer is headquartered in nearby Wijchen and has been working closely with the Lödige team in the Benelux Union for many years. The cooperation has resulted in the installation of six goods lifts in distribution centers in Helmond, Eindhoven and Waalwijk, all in the Netherlands. For this application, the customer needed a goods lift to be installed in a cold storage area. As a lift requiring hydraulics was not applicable, Lödige’s Sherpa goods lift with chain lifter was chosen. The two-stop chain-driven lift has a capacity of 1500 kg and speed of 0.2 mps.

VANCOUVER OFFICE TOWER RECEIVES APPROVAL

City officials in Vancouver, Canada, have approved a plan for a 36-story office tower, Skyrise Cities reports. The 167.7-m tower at 1133-1155 Melville Street, being developed by Oxford Properties, will feature cantilevered sections that provide shelter and shade on the ground and serve as platforms for outdoor terraces — seven in all, including vegetated spaces, a two-story loggia and a sky garden. The development will also include a strip of retail on the ground floor. The structure was designed by James KM Cheng Architects. The application was first submitted in July 2015 but was revised in October 2017 to make the design taller and slimmer with reduced floor space.

Image courtesy vancouver.skyrisecities.com via James KM Cheng Architects:

https://vancouver.skyrisecities.com/news/2018/04/oxfords-melville-office-tower-receives-council-approval

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

OTIS WINS WUXI METRO CONTRACT

Otis Elevator (China) Co. Ltd. will provide 102 escalators and 24/7 maintenance support to Wuxi Metro Line 3 Phase 1, in the Wuxi business hub near Shanghai. The third main line in the Wuxi network, Line 3's first phase will have 21 stations and stretch 28.5 km underground when completed in 2020. It will connect the districts of Huishan, Liangxi and Xinwu to serve key industrial areas, main rail and air transportation hubs, and the city center. Otis China will also provide the Otis Metro Maintenance Management System (OM3S®) to support Wuxi Metro. The company calls OM3S "a specialized service system that provides around-the-clock support for metro customers." Introduced to China in 2013, the system's network includes dedicated metro service offices staffed by specially trained mechanics.

DEVELOPER BREAKS GROUND ON TAMPA HOTEL TOWER

Developers have broken ground for construction of a 26-story hotel in Tampa's Water Street, a 50-acre, US$3-billion project that will transform the city's skyline, Tampa Bay Business Journal reported on April 23. The JW is only the first building of the huge project but has already been designated as the official host hotel for the Super Bowl, which the city will host in 2021. Among amenities for the tower will be Tampa Bay's highest rooftop bar. All told, developer Strategic Property Partners plans 9 million sq. ft. of commercial, residential, hospitality, educational, entertainment, cultural and retail space at Water Street Tampa, including apartment and condo towers.

NANJING SUPERTALL DETAILS RELEASED

The Yangzi Evening News recently reported on the submission of the planning and design plan for the southwest Nanjing River Fishmouth Financial Agglomeration Project in China. The first phase includes a 580-m-tall tower for the sprawling project’s “A block” in Nanjing, which would be one of the tallest in the city and positioned as a new international center in the Jiangnan District. The Southwest River Fishmouth Financial Agglomeration Area is the core area of the Hexi Central Business District, located at the junction of what are known as the “three rivers” of the Yangtze River. The total area of the project exceeds 160,000 m2.

GOODS LIFT CHOSEN FOR COLD STORAGE

Germany-based Lödige Industries has installed a goods lift for a logistic service provider building a new healthcare distribution center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The customer is headquartered in nearby Wijchen and has been working closely with the Lödige team in the Benelux Union for many years. The cooperation has resulted in the installation of six goods lifts in distribution centers in Helmond, Eindhoven and Waalwijk, all in the Netherlands. For this application, the customer needed a goods lift to be installed in a cold storage area. As a lift requiring hydraulics was not applicable, Lödige’s Sherpa goods lift with chain lifter was chosen. The two-stop chain-driven lift has a capacity of 1500 kg and speed of 0.2 mps.

VANCOUVER OFFICE TOWER RECEIVES APPROVAL

City officials in Vancouver, Canada, have approved a plan for a 36-story office tower, Skyrise Cities reports. The 167.7-m tower at 1133-1155 Melville Street, being developed by Oxford Properties, will feature cantilevered sections that provide shelter and shade on the ground and serve as platforms for outdoor terraces — seven in all, including vegetated spaces, a two-story loggia and a sky garden. The development will also include a strip of retail on the ground floor. The structure was designed by James KM Cheng Architects. The application was first submitted in July 2015 but was revised in October 2017 to make the design taller and slimmer with reduced floor space.

Image courtesy vancouver.skyrisecities.com via James KM Cheng Architects:

https://vancouver.skyrisecities.com/news/2018/04/oxfords-melville-office-tower-receives-council-approval

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