Elevator World

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

ECS OPENS LAS VEGAS DISTRIBUTION FACILITY

ECS Corp., headquartered in Broadview, Illinois, has opened a location in Las Vegas, a 7,100-sq.-ft. customer-support facility that includes a will-call center and is stocked with elevator and escalator replacement parts. The company observed the facility promises to better serve customers in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, who will benefit from lower freight charges, shorter delivery times and extended shipping hours. John Rankin, a QEI with more than 33 years' industry experience including fieldwork, construction, modernization, service and repair, was named manager. Lori Kekich was named Sales and Operations coordinator. She has a diverse background that includes work in the steel, healthcare and vertical-transportation industries. The new location is at 4301 South Valley View Boulevard, Suite 8, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 and can be reached toll free: (800) 621-0759.

 

ALIMAK’S NORWEGIAN ARM TO DELIVER HEAVY-DUTY OILFIELD LIFT

Heis-Tek AS, the Norwegian arm of Alimak Group, has been selected by Statoil ASA through Aker Solutions to deliver an explosion-proof, industrial traction elevator for use in the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Barents Sea. The order is valued at approximately SEK11 million (US$1.38 million). Engineering work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of this year, with equipment delivered approximately one year later. Heis-Tek AS previously delivered lifts for Statoil's Johan Sverdrup oilfield in the North Sea and several other large projects. Alimak Group CEO Tormod Gunleiksrud said the order "confirms the renewed interest from the [oil and gas] sector for Alimak Group's safe, reliable and high-quality vertical-access solutions and services. . . ."

 

DEVELOPER PLANS BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY'S TALLEST TOWERS

A planned mixed-use development will include a pair of 22-story towers that will be the tallest buildings in Bayonne, New Jersey, Jersey Digs reports. The project, at 26 North Street, will have 170 units in each tower, for a total 340 mostly one- and two-bedroom residences. The development will include nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, which a spokesman for a realty management company said could include a "high-end grocery retailer" and a smaller business, such as a restaurant or daycare center. A four-level underground parking facility with 725 spaces is included in the plan. The site is close to light rail and major roads, as well as the city's Broadway business district. Construction is expected to begin by April and be completed by 2020.

 

NCEIG MEETING TO FEATURE HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR PRESENTATION

The Northern California Elevator Industry Group (NCEIG) plans to welcome Tom C. Hausenbauer, P.E., from MEI – Total Elevator Solutions to its regular, monthly meeting on February 21. Hausenbauer is scheduled to present “Hydraulic Elevator Performance: Problems and Solutions.” NCEIG holds its monthly meetings every third Wednesday from noon-2 p.m. at the Buttercup Diner, 229 Broadway, Oakland, California. For more information, visit the NCEIG website or send an email.

Image courtesy ECS.

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

ECS OPENS LAS VEGAS DISTRIBUTION FACILITY

ECS Corp., headquartered in Broadview, Illinois, has opened a location in Las Vegas, a 7,100-sq.-ft. customer-support facility that includes a will-call center and is stocked with elevator and escalator replacement parts. The company observed the facility promises to better serve customers in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, who will benefit from lower freight charges, shorter delivery times and extended shipping hours. John Rankin, a QEI with more than 33 years' industry experience including fieldwork, construction, modernization, service and repair, was named manager. Lori Kekich was named Sales and Operations coordinator. She has a diverse background that includes work in the steel, healthcare and vertical-transportation industries. The new location is at 4301 South Valley View Boulevard, Suite 8, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 and can be reached toll free: (800) 621-0759.

 

ALIMAK’S NORWEGIAN ARM TO DELIVER HEAVY-DUTY OILFIELD LIFT

Heis-Tek AS, the Norwegian arm of Alimak Group, has been selected by Statoil ASA through Aker Solutions to deliver an explosion-proof, industrial traction elevator for use in the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Barents Sea. The order is valued at approximately SEK11 million (US$1.38 million). Engineering work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of this year, with equipment delivered approximately one year later. Heis-Tek AS previously delivered lifts for Statoil's Johan Sverdrup oilfield in the North Sea and several other large projects. Alimak Group CEO Tormod Gunleiksrud said the order "confirms the renewed interest from the [oil and gas] sector for Alimak Group's safe, reliable and high-quality vertical-access solutions and services. . . ."

 

DEVELOPER PLANS BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY'S TALLEST TOWERS

A planned mixed-use development will include a pair of 22-story towers that will be the tallest buildings in Bayonne, New Jersey, Jersey Digs reports. The project, at 26 North Street, will have 170 units in each tower, for a total 340 mostly one- and two-bedroom residences. The development will include nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, which a spokesman for a realty management company said could include a "high-end grocery retailer" and a smaller business, such as a restaurant or daycare center. A four-level underground parking facility with 725 spaces is included in the plan. The site is close to light rail and major roads, as well as the city's Broadway business district. Construction is expected to begin by April and be completed by 2020.

 

NCEIG MEETING TO FEATURE HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR PRESENTATION

The Northern California Elevator Industry Group (NCEIG) plans to welcome Tom C. Hausenbauer, P.E., from MEI – Total Elevator Solutions to its regular, monthly meeting on February 21. Hausenbauer is scheduled to present “Hydraulic Elevator Performance: Problems and Solutions.” NCEIG holds its monthly meetings every third Wednesday from noon-2 p.m. at the Buttercup Diner, 229 Broadway, Oakland, California. For more information, visit the NCEIG website or send an email.

Image courtesy ECS.

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

58-, 51-STORY TOWERS FOR CHICAGO’S WEST LOOP

Related Midwest hopes to build 58- and 51-story towers housing residences and a hotel in Chicago's Fulton Market Meatpacking District, also known as the West Loop, but residents are worried area infrastructure can't handle it, the Chicago Tribune reports. The West Loop is already home to employees from Google and other big companies, and that is also what is attracting apartment and condominium developers such as Related Midwest, which hopes to break ground on the towers by mid 2019. At 725 West Randolph Street, the plan is for a 58-story tower designed by Connecticut-based Roger Ferris and Partners housing apartments and a hotel, while a 51-story condominium tower designed by Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City is planned at 170 North Peoria Street.

AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPER LAUNCHES PROJECT IN HOUSTON

The Houston Business Journal reports an Australian company, Caydon Property Group, is planning its first U.S. apartment-tower project, a 27-story luxury high rise in midtown Houston. The Midtown, as it has been named, will offer 357 units, with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Common-area amenities will include a private pool with swim-up bar, a fitness center with yoga studio and a sky lounge overlooking the city. The US$200-million development will also have 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a parking garage with space for 482 cars. The 1.15-acre site at 2850 Fannin is near park and transit facilities. The project was designed by Houston-based Ziegler Cooper Architects and is targeted for completion in 2019.

JAPANESE COMPANY DEVELOPING TOWER IN CAMBODIAN CAPITAL

A Japanese company has unveiled plans for the World Trade Center Phnom Penh (WTCPP), a 23-story mixed-use tower in the Cambodian capital, the Phnom Penh Post reports. The US$65-million project, planed for the city's Tuol Tompong neighborhood, will include offices, retail stores and a hotel within its 43,724 m2, which developers say will create a vibrant hub of commercial space in the quiet, residential enclave. Kazuya Urata, CEO of developer WTCPP Management Co. Ltd., said the project aims to improve cross-cultural relations between Japan and Cambodia, adding his ultimate goal is to "help the Cambodian people build top-quality high-rise buildings on their own."

MAN CRITICALLY HURT IN ELEVATOR SHAFT FALL

A man was in critical condition after falling two floors down an elevator shaft at a court facility in Cape Town, South Africa, IOL reports. Paramedics were called to the scene about 5 p.m. on January 30 and found the 40-year-old man lying at the bottom of the shaft. Using the shaft's service ladder, the rescuers were able to get to the man and lift him out of the pit. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Authorities were continuing to investigate what led to the man's fall.

Image courtesy bizjournals.com:

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/01/25/more-details-revealed-about-proposed-luxury.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

58-, 51-STORY TOWERS FOR CHICAGO’S WEST LOOP

Related Midwest hopes to build 58- and 51-story towers housing residences and a hotel in Chicago's Fulton Market Meatpacking District, also known as the West Loop, but residents are worried area infrastructure can't handle it, the Chicago Tribune reports. The West Loop is already home to employees from Google and other big companies, and that is also what is attracting apartment and condominium developers such as Related Midwest, which hopes to break ground on the towers by mid 2019. At 725 West Randolph Street, the plan is for a 58-story tower designed by Connecticut-based Roger Ferris and Partners housing apartments and a hotel, while a 51-story condominium tower designed by Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City is planned at 170 North Peoria Street.

AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPER LAUNCHES PROJECT IN HOUSTON

The Houston Business Journal reports an Australian company, Caydon Property Group, is planning its first U.S. apartment-tower project, a 27-story luxury high rise in midtown Houston. The Midtown, as it has been named, will offer 357 units, with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Common-area amenities will include a private pool with swim-up bar, a fitness center with yoga studio and a sky lounge overlooking the city. The US$200-million development will also have 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a parking garage with space for 482 cars. The 1.15-acre site at 2850 Fannin is near park and transit facilities. The project was designed by Houston-based Ziegler Cooper Architects and is targeted for completion in 2019.

JAPANESE COMPANY DEVELOPING TOWER IN CAMBODIAN CAPITAL

A Japanese company has unveiled plans for the World Trade Center Phnom Penh (WTCPP), a 23-story mixed-use tower in the Cambodian capital, the Phnom Penh Post reports. The US$65-million project, planed for the city's Tuol Tompong neighborhood, will include offices, retail stores and a hotel within its 43,724 m2, which developers say will create a vibrant hub of commercial space in the quiet, residential enclave. Kazuya Urata, CEO of developer WTCPP Management Co. Ltd., said the project aims to improve cross-cultural relations between Japan and Cambodia, adding his ultimate goal is to "help the Cambodian people build top-quality high-rise buildings on their own."

MAN CRITICALLY HURT IN ELEVATOR SHAFT FALL

A man was in critical condition after falling two floors down an elevator shaft at a court facility in Cape Town, South Africa, IOL reports. Paramedics were called to the scene about 5 p.m. on January 30 and found the 40-year-old man lying at the bottom of the shaft. Using the shaft's service ladder, the rescuers were able to get to the man and lift him out of the pit. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Authorities were continuing to investigate what led to the man's fall.

Image courtesy bizjournals.com:

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/01/25/more-details-revealed-about-proposed-luxury.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

ESCALATORS, ELEVATORS PART OF BALTIMORE STADIUM UPGRADE

Sixteen escalators and an undetermined number of elevators are part of a three-year, US$120-million upgrade to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the National Football League’s (NFL) Baltimore Ravens, The Baltimore Sun reports. The units will help ease fans’ travel to the upper levels of the stadium, which will also be outfitted with suites with high-definition video screens. Work to remove the concrete ramps to make way for the escalators began in October 2017, with several escalators expected to be ready by the start of the 2018 NFL season and the remainder by the 2019 season.

EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES PROBE ELEVATOR FALL THAT KILLED 7

Authorities in Egypt are demanding a police investigation of a January 30 elevator fall at Banha University Hospital in Banha, Egypt, in which seven people, all members of the same family who were visiting their hospitalized grandmother, died, Egypt Independent reports. A report from the Manpower Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the main wire operating the elevator was damaged. The elevator had been previously cited by the Occupational Safety Management Department for lack of periodical maintenance. Hospital and university officials said the elevator had been under contract with a maintenance company since 2015.

ELEVATOR MUSEUM REEMERGES IN BOSTON

Stephen K. Comley, an avid collector of elevator parts and memorabilia who has enjoyed a long career repairing and maintaining elevators, spearheaded the recent opening of the only physical elevator museum exhibit in the U.S. The International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 4 Building meeting hall in Dorchester, Boston, now displays more than 100 years of elevator memorabilia. The most recent elevator museum was in Long Island City, New York, and run by Patrick Carr. Space and funding led to its closure. Carr, now a director of the new museum, contributed numerous artifacts to Comley's collection, all of which are now on display at the new location. The expansive venue can accommodate more than 400 people. Reported by Richard Mintzer

FOUNDATION WORK UNDERWAY FOR AFRICA’S FUTURE TALLEST

Foundation work is underway on The Pinnacle Tower in Nairobi, Kenya, which, at 320 m tall and 70-stories, will be Africa’s tallest building, surpassing the 223-m-tall Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, BAUER Maschinen GmbH reports. Longtime BAUER customer Frankipile International Projects Ltd. of Kenya, was commissioned to do the foundation work, which involves 380 foundation piles produced by BAUER. The Pinnacle Tower will also have a 45-story Hilton hotel tower and include apartments, offices, shops, several levels of parking and Africa’s highest observation deck at 275 m. Completion is anticipated in 2020.

Image: Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-ravens-improvements-at-mt-bank-stadium-20180130-story.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

ESCALATORS, ELEVATORS PART OF BALTIMORE STADIUM UPGRADE

Sixteen escalators and an undetermined number of elevators are part of a three-year, US$120-million upgrade to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the National Football League’s (NFL) Baltimore Ravens, The Baltimore Sun reports. The units will help ease fans’ travel to the upper levels of the stadium, which will also be outfitted with suites with high-definition video screens. Work to remove the concrete ramps to make way for the escalators began in October 2017, with several escalators expected to be ready by the start of the 2018 NFL season and the remainder by the 2019 season.

EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES PROBE ELEVATOR FALL THAT KILLED 7

Authorities in Egypt are demanding a police investigation of a January 30 elevator fall at Banha University Hospital in Banha, Egypt, in which seven people, all members of the same family who were visiting their hospitalized grandmother, died, Egypt Independent reports. A report from the Manpower Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the main wire operating the elevator was damaged. The elevator had been previously cited by the Occupational Safety Management Department for lack of periodical maintenance. Hospital and university officials said the elevator had been under contract with a maintenance company since 2015.

ELEVATOR MUSEUM REEMERGES IN BOSTON

Stephen K. Comley, an avid collector of elevator parts and memorabilia who has enjoyed a long career repairing and maintaining elevators, spearheaded the recent opening of the only physical elevator museum exhibit in the U.S. The International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 4 Building meeting hall in Dorchester, Boston, now displays more than 100 years of elevator memorabilia. The most recent elevator museum was in Long Island City, New York, and run by Patrick Carr. Space and funding led to its closure. Carr, now a director of the new museum, contributed numerous artifacts to Comley's collection, all of which are now on display at the new location. The expansive venue can accommodate more than 400 people. Reported by Richard Mintzer

FOUNDATION WORK UNDERWAY FOR AFRICA’S FUTURE TALLEST

Foundation work is underway on The Pinnacle Tower in Nairobi, Kenya, which, at 320 m tall and 70-stories, will be Africa’s tallest building, surpassing the 223-m-tall Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, BAUER Maschinen GmbH reports. Longtime BAUER customer Frankipile International Projects Ltd. of Kenya, was commissioned to do the foundation work, which involves 380 foundation piles produced by BAUER. The Pinnacle Tower will also have a 45-story Hilton hotel tower and include apartments, offices, shops, several levels of parking and Africa’s highest observation deck at 275 m. Completion is anticipated in 2020.

Image: Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-ravens-improvements-at-mt-bank-stadium-20180130-story.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

ULTRAROPE, JUMPLIFT TECHNOLOGY IN NORDIC REGION’S TALLEST

KONE UltraRope® and JumpLift™ technology will be implemented at Karlatornet in Gothenburg, Sweden. At 245 m tall, the residential/hotel development designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill will be the tallest in the Nordic region. KONE is supplying five MiniSpace™ elevators equipped with UltraRope, which reduces energy consumption and improves ride comfort, along with nine MonoSpace® elevators. The units will travel at 6-8 mps. Using the same shafts as the passenger elevators prior to installation, JumpLift can save construction time and enhance jobsite safety. Karlatornet's elevator system will also be equipped with destination-control technology. Slated for completion in 2021, Karlatornet is being developed by Karlastaden Utveckling AB.

QUINN MOVES TO NEW ROLE WITH JOSEPH NETO & ASSOCIATES

John Quinn is transitioning from vice president of projects at Joseph Neto & Associates (JNA) — A Lerch Bates Co., in New York City (NYC) to assist Vice President of Modernization Jim Turner. In his new role, he will share his technical expertise with Lerch Bates consultants and clients throughout the U.S. When not traveling, Quinn will continue to support NYC consultants and clients. Quinn joined JNA in 2004 and continued in his role as vice president of projects through the Lerch Bates acquisition in 2015 (ELENET 627).

2018 SYMPOSIUMS ON LIFT AND ESCALATOR TECHNOLOGIES DETAILS

The eighth and ninth Symposium on Lift and Escalator Technologies are taking place on May 15-16 in Hong Kong and September 19-20 in Northampton, U.K., respectively. Industry experts, academics and postgraduate students are invited to submit abstracts, and registration discounts are available for early birds. Papers for the Hong Kong event will cover topics including stress, vibration, friction, slip and dynamic interaction analyses; history; the systems-engineering approach; regulations; dynamic behavior; shaft construction; traffic analysis; robots; metal modularization; and materials.

MAXTON OSHA SHARP CERTIFICATION RENEWED

Maxton Manufacturing Co., headquartered in Minden, Nevada, had its OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification renewed. The achievement was celebrated during an event on January 26 attended by Sen. James Settelmeyer, representatives of Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) and representatives of self-insured group administrator Pro Group Management, Inc. Benefits of achieving SHARP status include reduced worker’s compensation costs, removal from OSHA’s impromptu inspections list for two years and a more open channel of communication with OSHA. Maxton Production Manager Kirk Muller thanked Pros Group and SCATS for their support in achieving the goal.

Image courtesy kone-major-projects.com:

http://www.kone-major-projects.com/high-rise-solutions/ultrarope.aspx

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

ULTRAROPE, JUMPLIFT TECHNOLOGY IN NORDIC REGION’S TALLEST

KONE UltraRope® and JumpLift™ technology will be implemented at Karlatornet in Gothenburg, Sweden. At 245 m tall, the residential/hotel development designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill will be the tallest in the Nordic region. KONE is supplying five MiniSpace™ elevators equipped with UltraRope, which reduces energy consumption and improves ride comfort, along with nine MonoSpace® elevators. The units will travel at 6-8 mps. Using the same shafts as the passenger elevators prior to installation, JumpLift can save construction time and enhance jobsite safety. Karlatornet's elevator system will also be equipped with destination-control technology. Slated for completion in 2021, Karlatornet is being developed by Karlastaden Utveckling AB.

QUINN MOVES TO NEW ROLE WITH JOSEPH NETO & ASSOCIATES

John Quinn is transitioning from vice president of projects at Joseph Neto & Associates (JNA) — A Lerch Bates Co., in New York City (NYC) to assist Vice President of Modernization Jim Turner. In his new role, he will share his technical expertise with Lerch Bates consultants and clients throughout the U.S. When not traveling, Quinn will continue to support NYC consultants and clients. Quinn joined JNA in 2004 and continued in his role as vice president of projects through the Lerch Bates acquisition in 2015 (ELENET 627).

2018 SYMPOSIUMS ON LIFT AND ESCALATOR TECHNOLOGIES DETAILS

The eighth and ninth Symposium on Lift and Escalator Technologies are taking place on May 15-16 in Hong Kong and September 19-20 in Northampton, U.K., respectively. Industry experts, academics and postgraduate students are invited to submit abstracts, and registration discounts are available for early birds. Papers for the Hong Kong event will cover topics including stress, vibration, friction, slip and dynamic interaction analyses; history; the systems-engineering approach; regulations; dynamic behavior; shaft construction; traffic analysis; robots; metal modularization; and materials.

MAXTON OSHA SHARP CERTIFICATION RENEWED

Maxton Manufacturing Co., headquartered in Minden, Nevada, had its OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification renewed. The achievement was celebrated during an event on January 26 attended by Sen. James Settelmeyer, representatives of Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) and representatives of self-insured group administrator Pro Group Management, Inc. Benefits of achieving SHARP status include reduced worker’s compensation costs, removal from OSHA’s impromptu inspections list for two years and a more open channel of communication with OSHA. Maxton Production Manager Kirk Muller thanked Pros Group and SCATS for their support in achieving the goal.

Image courtesy kone-major-projects.com:

http://www.kone-major-projects.com/high-rise-solutions/ultrarope.aspx

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

INVESTMENT FUELS U.K.-BASED COMPANY’S GROWTH

A GBP6.4-million (US$9-million) investment from U.K.'s Business Growth Fund (BGF) promises to fuel Halifax, U.K.-based Northern Escalator Installations' further expansion in the U.K. and Europe, Business Quarter reports. The specialty engineering firm has 85 employees, and recent projects include installations at Anfield football stadium in Liverpool and London Paddington Station. Realizing revenue of more than GBP12 million (US$16.8 million) in 2017, Northern Escalator Installations now has offices in Germany and Sweden. As part of the investment, Stuart Black joins the company as non-executive chair and Gareth Judson as operations director of the board. Northern Escalator Installations founder Kevin Johnson said BGF's investment "will allow us to press forward with our growth plans, while retaining control of the business."

THYSSENKRUPP DELIVERY ROBOT MAKES U.S. DEBUT

thyssenkrupp Elevator and software developer TeleRetail GmbH debuted their driverless delivery robot for elevator maintenance in the U.S. on January 24 at the Washington Auto Show in Washington, D.C. The technology was presented as a benchmark product at the "Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies" field hearing of the U.S. Senate, convened by Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota). thyssenkrupp and TeleRetail believe the cloud-based, driverless systems would help get spare elevator parts from warehouses to technicians faster, which will be increasingly important as urbanization challenges mount.

DESIGN WINNER FOR OSLO CENTRAL RAIL STATION PROJECT

A team led by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter has won an international design competition for redevelopment of the Central Rail Station in Oslo, Norway, for its Nordic Light plan, which includes a mixed-use tower that looks to be approximately 25 stories tall, ArchDaily reports. The jury, which chose Northern Light unanimously over submissions from firms such as Bjarke Ingels Group, praised the greenery-filled, glass-and-timber structure for “best responding to the site and . . . its dedication to sustainable architecture.” Aiming for an “Excellent” rating from BREEAM®, Nordic light includes restoration and enhancement of the protected, historic portion of the rail station.

STRIKING BIG-DESIGNED TOWERS TAKING SHAPE IN NYC’S CHELSEA

The Eleventh, a pair of striking, twisting towers designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is making its presence known in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City (NYC), New York YIMBY reports. Connected by a base housing 181,893 sq. ft. of commercial space, a hotel tower will rise 25 stories and 302 ft., and a residential tower will rise 35 floors and 402 ft. The 137-room hotel will be the first in the U.S. for Bangkok-based Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. The residential tower will house 240 units. HFZ Capital is the developer of the project, the concrete base of which is now visible, at 76 11th Avenue. Completion is anticipated in 2019.

RENDERINGS PROVIDE LATEST LOOK AT CHICAGO’S WOLF POINT

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has released new renderings of Wolf Point, the three-tower megadevelopment at the confluence of the Chicago River's main, north and south branches, in downtown Chicago, Curbed Chicago reports. They provide a good look at the third, final and tallest phase, a glittering glass tower that will stand approximately 950 ft. — just short of supertall status. It will sit between the 48-story west apartment tower, completed in 2016, and the under-construction, 60-story east apartment tower, which is looking at a late 2019 completion. Previously described as an office building, the third tower could now include a hotel and residential component.

Image courtesy thyssenkrupp-elevator.com:

http://www.thyssenkrupp-elevator.com/en/press/press-releases-76800.html

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

INVESTMENT FUELS U.K.-BASED COMPANY’S GROWTH

A GBP6.4-million (US$9-million) investment from U.K.'s Business Growth Fund (BGF) promises to fuel Halifax, U.K.-based Northern Escalator Installations' further expansion in the U.K. and Europe, Business Quarter reports. The specialty engineering firm has 85 employees, and recent projects include installations at Anfield football stadium in Liverpool and London Paddington Station. Realizing revenue of more than GBP12 million (US$16.8 million) in 2017, Northern Escalator Installations now has offices in Germany and Sweden. As part of the investment, Stuart Black joins the company as non-executive chair and Gareth Judson as operations director of the board. Northern Escalator Installations founder Kevin Johnson said BGF's investment "will allow us to press forward with our growth plans, while retaining control of the business."

THYSSENKRUPP DELIVERY ROBOT MAKES U.S. DEBUT

thyssenkrupp Elevator and software developer TeleRetail GmbH debuted their driverless delivery robot for elevator maintenance in the U.S. on January 24 at the Washington Auto Show in Washington, D.C. The technology was presented as a benchmark product at the "Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies" field hearing of the U.S. Senate, convened by Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota). thyssenkrupp and TeleRetail believe the cloud-based, driverless systems would help get spare elevator parts from warehouses to technicians faster, which will be increasingly important as urbanization challenges mount.

DESIGN WINNER FOR OSLO CENTRAL RAIL STATION PROJECT

A team led by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter has won an international design competition for redevelopment of the Central Rail Station in Oslo, Norway, for its Nordic Light plan, which includes a mixed-use tower that looks to be approximately 25 stories tall, ArchDaily reports. The jury, which chose Northern Light unanimously over submissions from firms such as Bjarke Ingels Group, praised the greenery-filled, glass-and-timber structure for “best responding to the site and . . . its dedication to sustainable architecture.” Aiming for an “Excellent” rating from BREEAM®, Nordic light includes restoration and enhancement of the protected, historic portion of the rail station.

STRIKING BIG-DESIGNED TOWERS TAKING SHAPE IN NYC’S CHELSEA

The Eleventh, a pair of striking, twisting towers designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is making its presence known in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City (NYC), New York YIMBY reports. Connected by a base housing 181,893 sq. ft. of commercial space, a hotel tower will rise 25 stories and 302 ft., and a residential tower will rise 35 floors and 402 ft. The 137-room hotel will be the first in the U.S. for Bangkok-based Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. The residential tower will house 240 units. HFZ Capital is the developer of the project, the concrete base of which is now visible, at 76 11th Avenue. Completion is anticipated in 2019.

RENDERINGS PROVIDE LATEST LOOK AT CHICAGO’S WOLF POINT

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has released new renderings of Wolf Point, the three-tower megadevelopment at the confluence of the Chicago River's main, north and south branches, in downtown Chicago, Curbed Chicago reports. They provide a good look at the third, final and tallest phase, a glittering glass tower that will stand approximately 950 ft. — just short of supertall status. It will sit between the 48-story west apartment tower, completed in 2016, and the under-construction, 60-story east apartment tower, which is looking at a late 2019 completion. Previously described as an office building, the third tower could now include a hotel and residential component.

Image courtesy thyssenkrupp-elevator.com:

http://www.thyssenkrupp-elevator.com/en/press/press-releases-76800.html

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