Elevator World

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

3 HUDSON YARDS GETS DESIGN TWEAK, MOVES FORWARD IN NYC

3 Hudson Yards in New York City (NYC) has been redesigned to "better align with today's office tenants" with more square footage, allowing for bigger floorplates, the New York Post reports. Designed by FXFOWLE and developed by Joe Moinian, the structure went from 1.8 million to 2 million sq. ft. and is shorter, going from 66 to 53 stories, or 1,050 and 940 ft. tall, respectively. Its location across from the low-rise Javits Center at the northeast corner of West 34th Street and 11th Avenue will provide for unobstructed, 360˚ views. JLL guided the redesign and is trying to land an anchor tenant. A formal groundbreaking was held on November 3.

SOM-DESIGNED TOWER FOR LONDON TALL-BUILDING HOTSPOT

Investor London & Oriental wants to build a 56-story office tower designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) in London's bustling eastern skyscraper cluster, close to iconic buildings such as the Leadenhall Building and 30 St. Mary Axe (the Gherkin), The Architects’ Journal reports. Expected to house an insurance firm, 100 Leadenhall Street would replace 100, 106 and 107 Leadenhall Street. With a design that tapers as it rises to provide unobstructed views of St. Patrick's Cathedral, it would sit next to the proposed 73-story 1 Undershaft. Construction is not expected to begin until at least 2020, due to existing leases.

KONE RANKED BY FORBES AS ONE OF WORLD’S BEST EMPLOYERS

Finnish elevator/escalator company KONE announced it has been ranked 73rd in Forbes’ Global 2000: World’s Best Employers List, which analyzed more than 360,000 employee recommendations to create a list of 500 companies. Stating it is proud of the recognition, KONE Executive Vice President for Human Resources Susanne Skippari said the listing “shows that our continued commitment to our employees’ well-being and professional development is appreciated by both current and potential employees.” Other industry companies that made the list include Mitsubishi Electric (79th) and thyssenkrupp (265th).

HOME LIFTS GAIN WIDER APPEAL IN SYDNEY

Home lifts have surged in popularity in Sydney, with what was once reserved for pricey mansions now being standard for average homes, Domain Group reports. Michael Heltborg, National Business Development manager at Easy Living Home Elevators, states sales at his company have grown from 50 to 60 lifts per year when he started 14 years ago to more than 600 per year today. He describes demand as “massive.” Customers are not just having lifts incorporated into original blueprints, the source says, but also retrofitting existing homes with elevators so residents can remain in their homes as they age.

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

THYSSENKRUPP’S MODERN TECHNOLOGY ABOVE ANCIENT AQUEDUCT

thyssenkrupp recently completed a challenging installation in Rome: 16 escalators and 10 elevators at the Rinascente department store, where the company worked "day and night" for approximately a year above the delicate remains of the Vergine Aqueduct, inaugurated by Augustus in 19 B.C. Parts of the aqueduct, which still carries water to many fountains such as the famous Trevi fountain, are situated in the store's basement. The vertical-transportation system installed above it moves up to 90,000 people per hour in the 14,000-m2 store. Weighing more than 120 mT, the escalators traverse a distance of approximately 200 m. The elevators, weighing 35 mT, are designed to carry 4,800 people per hour each across the building's eight floors.

 

COOPER MADE FELLOW OF LONDON COUNCIL

David Cooper of LECS (UK) LTD and ELEVATOR WORLD correspondent has been made a fellow of the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute. In recognition of professional and personal achievements, a fellowship is the council’s highest award. In particular, the organization noted Cooper’s “unswerving commitment to the training of young people and outstanding contribution to lift and escalator engineering." The council has been accrediting practical achievement for more than 100 years.

 

TRIO OF JAMAICAN HOSPITALS GETTING ELEVATOR OVERHAULS

Three hospitals in Jamaica are getting completely new elevator systems, thanks to government grants totaling more than US$354,000, the Jamaica Observer reports. Kingston Public and National Chest hospitals in Kingston, and Spanish Town Public Hospital in St. Catherine are receiving new elevator shafts, machinery and components, which promise to “significantly improve the quality of care the hospitals are able to provide.” The improvements are in line with a larger effort to upgrade Jamaica’s health sector, which Jamaica Minister of Health Christopher Tufton says is fundamental to economic growth.

 

VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH GEAR ON NYC RESIDENTIAL TOWER

Vertical construction has kicked into high gear on a condominium tower at 125 Greenwich Street in New York City’s (NYC) Financial District, with the structure currently at the fifth floor, New York YIMBY reports. The Rafael Viñoly-designed building is progressing rapidly at approximately one floor per week, headed toward a 2020 completion. Developed by Bizzi & Partners and Vector Group, it will have approximately 270 condominiums and lower-level retail, and stand 912 ft. and 72 stories.

Image courtesy of thyssenkrupp:

http://www.thyssenkrupp-elevator.com/en/press/press-releases-74112.html?id=564507

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

EUROPEAN LIFT CONGRESS HEILBRONN ANNOUNCED

The next European Lift Congress Heilbronn will be held on October 16-17, 2018, in Villingen, Germany. The topics of this eighth iteration of the biannual event will be interdisciplinary and cover international standards, achievements of international associations and technology. The latter topic will involve Industry 4.0, digitalization, preventive maintenance, dynamic processes, lightweight construction, controlling passenger and material flows in and toward buildings, and virtual reality. A visit to the thyssenkrupp test tower in nearby Rottweil is included and planned for the afternoon on day one. Nearby attractions include the Danube, the Rhine cataract, Lake Titisee and the Black Forest.

ESCALATORS AMONG LONDON RAILWAY UPGRADES

Transport for London’s (TfL) ongoing, network-wide upgrades include new escalators, blog IanVisits reports. At the Bank station, TfL is set to hand over new electrical rooms and a cable shaft to the power contractor, which will free up space and pave the way for construction of a new triple escalator. The Elizabeth/Crossrail line is nearly 90% complete and set to open in December 2018. It includes 17 custom-built escalators at the Canary Wharf station and 37 in the works at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farrington and Liverpool Street.

MIAMI’S NEW TALLEST HAS DISTINCT STACKED-CUBE DESIGN

New renderings of a 1,041-ft.-tall tower at 300 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami show a series of futuristic stacked cubes that would cut a striking figure on the skyline, Curbed Miami reports. Originally planned as two towers connected by walkways housing 500 luxury condominium units (ELENET 663), the new plan has an undetermined number of residences, a five-story hotel and a spa. Greybrook Realty Partners and Property Markets Group are developers of the project, the first to be completely overseen by health guru Deepak Chopra. The sales office for 300 Biscayne Boulevard is being built now.

TSSA FINES THYSSENKRUPP CAD500,000

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in Ontario, Canada, fined thyssenkrupp CAD500,000 (US$390,365) for several violations of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, various news outlets, including The Toronto Star, report. The authority said thyssenkrupp allowed an unsafe elevator to operate in a condominium in Toronto and failed to perform required maintenance and tests at a condominium in Mississauga. TSSA Director Roger Neate said the move sends a strong message to the elevator industry about the importance of following the law regarding safety tests, maintenance and procedures.

Image courtesy of thenextmiami.com:

https://www.thenextmiami.com/website-unveiled-300-biscayne-miamis-next-tallest/

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

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING NEW TRAINING CENTER IN JAPAN

Mitsubishi Electric is significantly ramping up training for installation technicians by building a new, 2,182-m2 training center at its main factory in Inazawa, Japan. The company is investing approximately US$8.67 million in the facility, which will have 11 shafts and eight elevators for hands-on training, as well as a hazard simulator. Citing increasing global demand for elevators and escalators, the company aims to increase the number of new installation technicians in Japan to 1,000 and installation supervisors outside of Japan to 350 by March 2020. The center is expected to start operation in October 2018.

TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN BIRMINGHAM ENVISIONED

The trio of buildings comprising phase one of developer Nikal's Exchange Square in the works in Birmingham, U.K., could get a significantly taller neighbor in the form of a 46-story structure that, if built, would be the tallest residential building in the city, Construction Enquirer reports. Exchange Square's current tallest building is 27 stories. The 46-story structure would be part of phase two, which has more than doubled its number of homes to 565, including in an adjoining, seven-story building. Nikal is working with Sir Robert McAlpine on the project, intended to be "dramatic and architecturally stunning."

RESIDENTIAL SKYSCRAPER NEARS COMPLETION IN NYC’S TRIBECA

111 Murray Street, a champagne flute-shaped skyscraper designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox in New York City’s (NYC) Tribeca neighborhood, is on track for a 2018 completion, having just received its glassy crown, New York YIMBY reports. Containing approximately 160 condominiums and ground-level retail, the structure stands 58 stories and 800 ft. Developed by Fisher Brothers, New Valley and the Witkoff Group, it joins similarly scaled projects nearby including 56 Leonard Street and 30 Park Place, though the residential skyscraper boom is expected to soon shift to the Financial District.

Image courtesy of mitsubishielectric.com:

http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2017/1101.html?cid=rss

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

CAYIN TECHNOLOGY DISPLAYS INSTALLED IN ARRAYA TOWER

Taiwan-based digital signage provider CAYIN Technology has installed customized displays for the elevators at Arraya Tower II, the second-tallest office building in Kuwait. Working with system integrator Strategic Solution, CAYIN displays in each of the 14 elevators can provide tenants with updated information, including stock-market quotes, through satellite TV. The system uses Wi-Fi transmitters installed in the elevator pits that are connected to a server through an internet hub. The server receives satellite signals and transmits them to the displays. More information about the project is available at website.

 

INDIAN RAILWAY REPLACING OLDEST ESCALATORS

India’s Metro Railway is preparing to replace some of the oldest escalators at its 24 stations in Kolkata, while others that are comparatively new will undergo extensive overhauls, the Times of India reported on October 30. "We are conducting a thorough and rigorous audit to check the condition of all escalators," said Indrani Banerjee, chief public relations officer, Metro Railway. In planning for the work, Metro Railway was aiming to reduce inconvenience to passengers. "We have made detailed plans to phase out the oldest ones in a timely manner," said Banerjee. Metro has already added four new escalators in 2017.

 

WORLD’S TALLEST PASSIVE TOWERS SET FOR VANCOUVER

A pair of condominium towers at 1400 Alberni Street in Vancouver, Canada, will be the world's tallest buildings to meet the Passive House standard, Construction Business reported on October 25. The source described the standard as one that "significantly improves energy efficiency and comfort," while reducing the structure’s environmental footprint. The Vancouver towers will stand 43 and 48 stories, and feature 450 residences and a 10,000-sq.-ft. daycare. They are being developed by Landa Global Properties and Asia Standard Americas, and designed by New York City-based Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Vancouver firm MCM Partnership. Completion is expected in 2022.

 

HARD ROCK UNVEILS GUITAR-SHAPED HOTEL

Leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock International unveiled a long-envisioned guitar-shaped hotel at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on October 25, the Miami Herald reported. The 36-story, 450-ft.-tall hotel will hold 638 rooms and is part of a major expansion of the resort complex. In addition to the new hotel, the US$1.5-billion project includes an expansion of the casino facilities, as well as a new, 7,000-seat theater with video studio facilities. The hotel will feature restaurants and lounges, a 41,000-sq.-ft. spa and a 10-acre "lagoon-style" pool with private villas and butler service. The project is targeted for completion in mid 2019.

Image courtesy of Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article180908011.html

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

QUEENS SUBWAY WORK CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF ELEVATORS

A pair of 100-year-old subway stations in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, were closed on October 23 for renovations, but the work came under fire from critics who said the project sorely needed elevators, the Queens Chronicle reported. City Councilman Costa Constantinides said the eight-month shutdowns at the 30th and 36th avenues stations for cosmetic work, while not addressing accessibility issues, are "indicative of the overall dysfunctionality of the subway system." The Metropolitan Transportation Authority responded that improving accessibility "is a priority," and elevators are being added where possible. The source noted that less than 25% of the city's subway stations are accessible to people with disabilities.

NCEIG MONTHLY MEETING RESCHEDULED, HOLIDAY MEETING SET

The Northern California Elevator Industry Group (NCEIG) will be holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, November 16, (instead of the usual Wednesday) at 12 p.m. at the Buttercup Grill, 229 Broadway, Oakland, California 94607. It has also announced its Holiday Dinner for December 15 at 6:30 p.m. at The Beach Chalet, 1000 Great Highway, San Francisco, California 94121. RSVP is required. For details or to RSVP, email Shawn Cowden of the National Association of Elevator Contractors at [email protected], or visit the group’s website, www.nceig.com.

PINK CONSTRUCTION ELEVATOR RAISES AWARENESS

Indianapolis-based Metro Elevator installed a pink construction elevator at the site of the Little Caesars World Headquarters project in Detroit to raise awareness and money for the Susan G. Komen organization's fight against breast cancer, Crain's Detroit Business reported on October 26. Ilitch Holdings Inc. is donating US$10,000 to Metro Elevator's Ride the Pink Elevator campaign to support the Komen organization. The US$150-million Little Caesars project entails a nine-story, 234,000-sq.-ft. expansion of the existing headquarters and will include windows shaped like pizza slices. The project is being developed by Olympia Development of Michigan and Ilitch Holdings. Completion is expected in mid 2018.

30-STORY MANCHESTER STUDENT-HOUSING PLAN PROGRESSES

Work is expected to start in 2018 on a 30-story student-housing complex designed by SimpsonHaugh and Partners on New Wakefield Street in Manchester, U.K., despite some opposition, The Architects’ Journal reports. The building will replace several structures, including a music venue/nightclub, and is in close proximity to several historic buildings, two factors that prompted objection. Historic preservation authorities ruled the building’s stacked design mitigates the impact on views. Backed by student property group Unite, the development will have 573 rooms and is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Image courtesy of crainsdetroit.com:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20171026/news/643311/little-caesars-hq-pizza-window-installation-to-begin-in-december

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

THIRD-GENERATION ELEVATOR MAN RETIRES AFTER 53 YEARS

Don Ruempler, Pittsburgh district manager for Eastern Elevator Sales and Service Co. (EESSC) in Windber, Pennsylvania, has retired after 53 years in the industry. Ruempler's career began in 1964 with Otis, for which he worked until 1992. From 1992-2004, he worked for General Elevator, which was acquired by thyssenkrupp. He then went on to work for EESSC until his retirement this year. Ruempler is a third-generation elevator man: Both his father, Harold F. Ruempler, and his grandfather, Harold E. Ruempler, worked for Otis, from 1946-1992 and 1922-1972, respectively. Mark E. Berkey, EESSC general manager, observed their careers total 146 years, representing "quite a legacy!"

INDIAN RAIL OFFICIALS REQUEST HUNDREDS OF NEW ESCALATORS

India’s Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) are requesting hundreds of new escalators to replace foot overbridges (FOBs) and prevent tragedies like the Elphinstone stampede in which 23 people died, NYOOOZ reports. CR currently has 22 escalators and WR, 32. CR plans to install 52 escalators by June 2018, Divisional Railway Manager S.K. Jain says. WR is installing 18 escalators and has asked the Railway Board for an additional 80. In all, CR is seeking permission to install 214 escalators in Mumbai. In addition to new escalators, CR also plans to build 12 new FOBs, and authorities are pushing to have luggage weights drastically reduced after an audit found passengers' heavy luggage hindered FOB traffic and contributed to the stampede.

MICHIGAN ELEVATOR COMPANY RECOGNIZED BY LOCAL CHAMBER

Elevator Service Inc. (ESI), headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was recognized by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce as the EPIC Veteran Owned Business of the Year in October 2017. Founded 30 years ago as strictly an elevator service provider, today ESI provides custom, nonproprietary elevator systems for commercial, residential and government clients. It also offers maintenance, repair and testing. Twenty-five percent of ESI’s employees are veterans of the U.S. military. Nate McFadden, ESI’s president and owner (and former U.S. Marine infantry officer) tells ELEVATOR WORLD 2017 has been the company’s best year yet, and that next year “already looks really strong with significant prospects for regional and national growth.”

30-STORY APARTMENT TOWER A WRAP IN EMERGING MELBOURNE AREA

Gravity Tower, a 30-story apartment building in the up-and-coming Fisherman’s Bend district in Melbourne, Australia, is complete, putting it at the forefront of a construction boom expected to last several decades, Urban Melbourne reports. Developed by Blue Earth Group and designed by Plus Architects with an angled, louvred façade that acts as a sunshade, Gravity Tower has 144 residential units, podium parking and a rooftop dining/communal area. Construction began in 2013, and the property topped out in March. Plus Architecture Director Ian Briggs says it is exciting to be part of a precinct that will be “integral to the future development of Melbourne’s inner city.”

Image courtesy of indianexpress.com:

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ak-mittal-mathura-junction-railway-officials-embarrassed-escalator-inaugurated-stops-midway-2836026/

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

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE MARKS ALIMAK’S LARGEST CONTRACT

Alimak Group will supply the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an order valued at SEK170 million (US$20.7 million). The New South Wales government's contract is with Australia's Manntech (a subsidiary of Alimak) for a vertical-access solution based on building maintenance units (BMUs) designed and manufactured at the Manntech factory in Germany. This is the largest order ever awarded to Alimak and covers design, manufacturing, installation and service of two large, motorized, complex gantries spanning the bridge and carrying the BMUs to enable full access to the iconic structure for maintenance purposes. The equipment will be supplied and installed progressively until the end of 2020.

 

KINGS III TAPS REGIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Kings III Emergency Communications has appointed Gerry Heskett business development manager for Central Florida. He has more than 25 years' sales and account-management experience in the elevator industry. In his new role, Heskett will educate and train managers and building owners on emergency monitoring services, code-compliant equipment installation, emergency phone monitoring and real-time elevator performance monitoring. He and his family are longtime residents of the Orlando area. Kings III observed that, with Heskett's technical sales background, "he is able to learn quickly, tackle demanding projects and is a valuable asset to the Kings III team and customers within his territory."

 

LIFTINSTITUUT SOLUTIONS LICENSES IRISH INSPECTORATE

Liftinstituut Solutions and Lift Inspect Ltd. have signed a license agreement that enables Lift Inspect to conduct statutory elevator and escalator inspections according to Liftinstituut Solutions standards and branding. Additionally, Liftinstituut Solutions acquired a minority share in Lift Inspect. Marco Waagmeester, managing director of Liftinstituut Holding, commented, "Having set up businesses in Turkey and Singapore, we are delighted to now be able to spread our silver-triangle inspection label as a sign of safety across Ireland."

 

ELEGANT, UNUSUAL RESIDENTIAL TOWER FOR LONDON RIVERFRONT

A 28-story residential tower described by World Architecture News as “elegantly unusual” made its debut on York Way next to Battersea Square on the London riverfront. Its distinctive teardrop-shaped design by Patel Taylor appears to twist as it rises due to strategic positioning of its white, wraparound balconies. Barratt London is the developer of Lombard Wharf, which includes 134 residences, including affordable housing on the lower four floors, resident amenities and a pair of arches linking it to the railway line. At night, balcony fronts are illuminated by LED lighting, further distinguishing it on the skyline.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

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

PHILIPPINES OTIS, TOSHIBA SUPPLIER CHANGES NAME

Concepcion Building and Industrial Solutions, a major supplier of vertical-transportation (VT) and cooling equipment in the Philippines, has changed its name to Alstra, the Manila Standard reported. Rajan Komarasu, Alstra director, said the name change coincides with the company’s expansion into other building-industry lines, including lighting, security, and automation and controls. Alstra will continue to offer VT equipment from Otis and Toshiba, and remain under the umbrella of Concepcion Industrial Corp.

ASTON MARTIN BREAKS GROUND ON MIAMI TOWER

Aston Martin broke ground on October 18 on Aston Martin Residences Miami, a 66-story luxury waterfront residential building in downtown Miami (ELENET 663), the Independent reported. The British maker of high-end luxury sports and touring cars is teaming up with property developer G&G Business Development to create the building, which is set for completion in 2021. It will feature 391 units priced up to US$50 million. With a sail-shaped, glass-and-steel construction designed by Revuelta Architecture and Bodas Miani Anger, the building amenities include a spa, movie theaters, an art gallery and a virtual golf room between the 52nd and 55th floors. Aston Martin is following carmaker Porsche into the South Florida real estate market. The 60-story Porsche Design Tower sits about 20 miles away in Sunny Isles Beach.

L.A. PLANNERS APPROVE 41-STORY MIXED-USE TOWER

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved the Lake on Wilshire project, a 41-story mixed-use housing tower complex, The Architects Newspaper reported. The project, proposed by Archeon Group and developer Walter Jayasinghe for the city's Westlake neighborhood, would offer 478 market-rate apartments and a 70,000-sq.-ft., 850-seat performing arts center dedicated to Sri Lankan culture. A large statue at the corner would adorn the five-story center, which would be wrapped in multicolored mosaic panels. An adjacent medical office building would be converted into a 220-room hotel. The US$213.8-million project represents one of the first major market-rate developments for the predominantly working class and immigrant neighborhood.

Image courtesy of independent.co.uk:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/aston-martin-miami-tower-car-maker-real-estate-g-g-business-development-a8009086.html#gallery

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

KONE ULTRAROPE, JUMPLIFT EMPLOYED IN MELBOURNE PROJECT

KONE has been awarded a contract for a Melbourne, Australia, project that will incorporate UltraRope® and JumpLift technology, along with 21 elevators and four escalators. Located at 477 Collins Street, the Grimshaw Architects-designed Olderfleet development involves a 40-story, 158-m-tall office tower for Mirvac rising from the 1880s façades of heritage buildings. The new structure will have 58,544 m2 of office space on 38 floors, as well as retail, a childcare center and gym. It will be served by 12 MiniSpace® and nine MonoSpace® elevators, four TravelMaster110® escalators and four Access® destination-control systems.

 

PAKISTAN CHAMBERS JOIN TALL-BUILDING BAN PROTEST

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has joined builders and developers in protesting a government ban of tall buildings in Karachi, Pakistan, The Express Tribune reports. The government banned construction of high rises in May upon request by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, which argued there was a water shortage and insufficient infrastructure. Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan, and now, FPCCI, ague the ban is draining jobs and investment from Pakistan, pointing out  the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia build tall despite water shortages. Measures such as reverse-osmosis plants built for individual projects should be allowed, they said.

 

WORKER DIES IN MALL SERVICE ELEVATOR IN INDIA

A 40-year-old man died on October 20, 2017, in a service elevator at a mall near Bengaluru, India, as he was working unloading goods, NYOOOZ reports. According to two fellow passengers, the lift, which had a scissor gate, stopped between the ground and first floors. The man then tried to manually restart the unit by lying on the floor and reaching through the gate to find a start switch under the cage. At that point, the elevator started moving up and the man's head was crushed. Police are investigating. 

 

FIVE TOWERS MAKE UP TORONTO URBAN-RENEWAL PROJECT

Hariri Pontarini Architects and Michael de Cotiis, president and CEO of Pinnacle International of Canada, have teamed up on Pinnacle One Yonge, an urban-renewal project on the harbor end of Yonge Street in downtown Toronto that includes five skyscrapers, the tallest of which are residential ones of 65, 80 and 95 stories, dezeen reports. Within walking distance of the CN Tower and connected to Union Station by an underground walkway, the development covers two city blocks, will also have two office buildings of 35 and 22 stories and include refurbishment of the Toronto Star building, built in 1971. The residential towers are all clad in glass and will include affordable housing, a hotel and retail.

Image courtesy of Reuters via The Express Tribune:

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1533217/businessmen-protest-ban-high-rise-buildings/

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