LOTTE WORLD TOWER, SOUTH KOREA’S TALLEST, TOPS OUT

Lotte Corp. hosted a topping-out ceremony on December 22 to mark exterior completion of the 123-story, 508-m-tall mixed-use Lotte World Tower in Seoul, Business Korea reports. It is scheduled to open by the end of 2016, becoming the tallest building in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world. Construction on Lotte World Tower started slightly over five years ago and has experienced complications such as the discovery of sinkholes nearby, which raised questions about the structure’s stability.

54-STORY CONDO BUILDING TAKING SHAPE IN NYC’S LENOX HILL

Construction has reached the fourth of what will ultimately be 54 floors at 520 Park Avenue in the Lenox Hill neighborhood of New York City (NYC), New York YIMBY reports. Zeckendorf Developers is behind the Upper East Side project, designed by Robert A.M. Stern with a limestone façade. It is expected to house 33 of NYC’s most luxurious condominiums and is scheduled to be complete in 2017.

VA SEEKS ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE PROVIDER IN MISSISSIPPI

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a vertical-transportation contractor to provide maintenance for 17 elevators, two cart lifts and three dumbwaiters at the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. The VA expects the contractor to provide labor, material, equipment and transportation related to the work. Specifics, such as length of the contract, will be posted in the near future. The full document is available from Targeted News Service.

CECA EVENT DATE CORRECTION

The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) plans to hold its Central Region meeting on February 4 at 4:30 p.m. at the Toronto Airport West Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario, rather than on the date originally stated. CECA’s next golf tournament is scheduled for June 9 at the Lora Bay Golf Club in Thornbury, Ontario. It will be hosted by The Peelle Co. and sponsored by Delta Elevator. For more information, email [email protected].

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-29-2015

ELEVATOR WORLD will focus on Turkey in its March issue, which will include a special regional section on the country, in addition to articles relating to its elevator industry. The deadline for submissions is January 15. To participate or for more information, contact the EW Editorial Department at phone: (251) 479-4514, ext. 30 or email: [email protected].

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-22-2015/

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-23-2015/

CTBUH 2016 PREDICTIONS

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has revealed predictions for each month of 2016. In January, Dubai is expected to unveil jetpacks for use in highrise firefighting. In February, Torre Reforma in Mexico City is expected to be complete, marking a shift away from glass façades in favor of structural concrete. In March, the trend toward ultra high-end luxury residential high rises is expected to give way to more affordable rentals. In April, construction is expected to begin on 22 Bishopsgate, London’s next tallest office building at 278 m. In May, the 599-m-tall Ping An Finance Center is expected to wrap up construction in Shenzhen, China, becoming China’s second-tallest building. For other views from the organization’s looking glass, visit the website.

80-STORY DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED IN BRISBANE

Aria Property Group of Brisbane, Australia, has submitted an application to city authorities to build an 80-story, 274-m-tall tower designed by RotheLowman on retail thoroughfare Edward Street, The Urban Developer reports. With a rather traditional glass-façade design that appears to be partially sheathed in concrete, it would have residential units on most floors with commercial and retail space at the ground and podium levels, in addition to multiple levels of parking. The height is the maximum allowed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

METRO COMMUTERS IN INDIA INJURED IN ESCALATOR MISHAP

An escalator at Girish Station on the Kolkata Metro in India suddenly reversed direction the night of December 17, resulting in nine passengers falling and suffering injuries, The Telegraph reports. Two of the people were hospitalized with injuries including cuts that required stitches. Authorities are investigating the accident, which one official said could have been the result of a drive that regulates speed malfunctioning.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-21-2015

OTIS COMPANIES WIN MAJOR CHINA WORK

Otis divisions in China recently won significant work. Xizi Otis Elevator Co., Ltd. will supply 191 units to Changsha Metro Line 3, and Otis Elevator China Co. Ltd. will install 130 energy-efficient machine-room-less Gen2® elevators and an unspecified number of LINK escalators at Harbin Yintai City, a mixed-use development in Harbin expected to wrap up by the end of 2016. Scheduled to be completed by late 2018, the metro project consists of 160 XO21NP high-traffic escalators and 31 Gen2 elevators, building upon an existing relationship with the Chinese metro system that has thus far resulted in the installation of nearly 3,000 units.

AL, WEBB HONORED FOR H&S PRACTICES

Terri Webb, Marketing coordinator at Amalgamated Lifts Ltd. (AL) in the U.K., was presented with an Outstanding Achievement award during a recent Health and Safety Executive-recognized seminar. Upon announcing the award, AL stated: “Our efforts and ongoing commitment to health & safety (H&S), with Webb at the heart of our endeavors, was acknowledged with a trophy presentation in front of approximately 30 other companies nominated for awards. We are always striving for excellence with our quality standards and ensuring we have optimum levels with our H&S practices.”

BAMBOO-INSPIRED SUPERTALL TAKING SHAPE IN HEFEI

Construction has started on the 518-m-tall Evergrande Financial Center in Hefei, China, Atkins, the firm responsible for the structure’s bamboo-inspired design, recently announced. Overlooking a lake, the building is set to include a hotel, apartments, mall and offices. It will be accompanied by shorter buildings designed to resemble a bamboo grove. Bamboo represents prosperity and elegance in Chinese culture. Evergrande is the third Asia-Pacific building by Atkins, which also designed the 568-m-tall Pearl of the North in Shenyang, China, and the 460-m-tall Vincom Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

JARDINE SCHINDLER LANDS MASSIVE THAI MALL DEAL

Jardine Schindler has won a contract from The Mall Group to supply 278 units to new and expanding malls across Thailand. The company's equipment is set to go into The Emsphere mixed-used development in Bangkok, as well as BLU PORT in Ha Hin and BLU Pearl in Phuket, both shopping complexes with additional features. It will also be used in the renovation of the Mall Korat. The order includes 60 5500 elevators, 212 9300 AE escalators and six moving walks. Jardine Schindler observes the order includes a machine-room-less elevator able to traverse 50 stories in 50 s.

CiA 417 FOR LIFT CONTROL UPDATED

CAN in Automation (CiA) has released new versions of the CiA 417 (CANopen Lift standard) application profile for lift control. The four-part specification's update culminates three years of work. Version 2.2.0 is mostly modified in Part 4, which specifies in detail the application objects (process data and configuration parameters). Input and output functions have been added. Other new parameters are related to the inverter virtual device (car drive unit). CiA notes the interoperability of the connected devices from different manufacturers is one of the most important benefits of CiA 417. The latest versions of it are accessible only for CiA members. Nonmembers can download version 2.0.0 for free.

US$300-MILLION RESIDENTIAL TOWER PLANNED IN PHILADELPHIA

A US$300-million, 47-to-51-story residential tower with retail on the lower floors is being planned at 1911 Walnut Street in the Center City area of Philadelphia by Tennessee developer Southern Land Co., the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. Southern said it intends to solicit feedback from neighborhood residents before finalizing plans. The design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz features tiered portions at the lower levels, a rooftop deck and restaurant overlooking a park and an "urban gardenscape" atop the roof of a lower structure. It is set to include more than 400 residences. No timeframe has been announced.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-17-2015/

MITSUBISHI BUILDING SOUTH KOREAN ELEVATOR FACTORY

Mitsubishi Elevator Korea Ltd. is building a US$27-million, 19,300-m2 factory in the Incheon Free Economic Zone in South Korea. Scheduled to open in April 2017, it will have an annual production capacity of 4,000 units and approximately 120 employees. The factory's R&D division will absorb certain functions currently located at Inazawa Works in Japan. The factory promises to enable Mitsubishi Electric to begin offering elevators with speeds of up to 360 fpm, and enhance its ability to serve the Middle Eastern and Association of Southeast Asian Nation markets. It is also set to include an 80-m-tall test tower and training center.

TEI GROUP IN NYC PROJECTS

TEI Group has announced its reception of contracts for two developments in New York City (NYC). The first is a contract from Bravo Builders to install six overhead gearless passenger cars in a new 33-story residential and hotel development. The building is to rise in downtown Brooklyn and house 381 apartments and 119 hotel rooms. The second is from Sciame to install three overhead gearless traction elevators, one hydraulic elevator and one wheelchair lift in the 10-story Collegiate School’s Riverside Center Expansion within Extell's Riverside Center development on the new Freedom Place South throughway in NYC.

SIXTH LIFT SYMPOSIUM DETAILS ANNOUNCED

The Sixth Lift & Escalator Symposium is planned for September 21-22, 2016, at Highgate House in Northampton, U.K., the University of Northampton, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Lifts Group and Lift and Escalator Industry Association announce. The annual event brings together vertical-transportation experts and provides an opportunity for speakers to present peer-reviewed papers. For more information or to submit an abstract, visit the website.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-16-2015

1 WTC CREW WINS THYSSENKRUPP PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Crew members from thyssenkrupp who led and managed installation of the elevators and escalators in One World Trade Center (1 WTC) recently won the company's President's Award for their work on the project. They were honored during thyssenkrupp's annual Recognition Awards ceremony in South Beach, Florida. Accepting the award on behalf of the team were Joe Braman, regional vice president; Mike DeNardo, construction supervisor (retired); Joe Majerscak, general foreman; Lynn Cozza, branch office manager; and field engineers Ben Wells and Scott Lahmers.

ERWIN TO MANAGE DALLAS AREA LERCH BATES OFFICE

Lerch Bates Inc. has hired Jacob Erwin as regional manager for its South Central Region of Mountain Area, headquartered in Dallas. Erwin comes to Lerch Bates with considerable industry experience, having held various leadership positions with thyssenkrupp in Denver after working his way up from a service and repair sales representative. He was also service and modernization sales manager at Fujitec America, and has been involved in projects such as the MGM Grand and Monte Carlo in Las Vegas and the Denver International Airport. He holds a BS in History and an MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon.

DETAILS FOR SYDNEY APARTMENT/HOTEL PROJECT SET

Chinese developer Dalian Wanda has won approval to build a 57-story apartment building and 179-room hotel at Circular Quay in Sydney, The Urban Developer reports. Dalian Wanda plans to launch sales in 2016 and will be offering 184 apartments, including four penthouses. The 110-m-tall hotel is set to include a 620-person ballroom. A construction timeframe has not been announced.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-15-2015

DeMEYER AMONG BCSA HONOREES

Ray DeMeyer, a professional engineer and principal of Vertech Elevator Services, was among seven individuals to receive the Lt. Governor Safety Award from the British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) during a recent gala event. DeMeyer was a longtime member and vice chairman of the former Elevating Devices Safety Authority Committee for British Columbia. He currently serves as co-chair of BCSA's Elevating Devices Technology Advisory Committee. He has combined expertise from various industry representatives with his own knowledge and research to develop parallel codes and standards for other jurisdictions. BCSA observed that DeMeyer "is well known as a bridge builder within his industry, and a promoter of positive changes to safety and adherence to code."

CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST, SAFETY ISSUES RAISED IN RHODE ISLAND

NBC 10 in Rhode Island has raised conflict-of-interest and safety issues about inspection of the state's 4,100 elevators. There are only two state employees tasked with inspecting newly installed or modernized units, with people from state-approved, licensed elevator companies handling the rest. Often, these inspectors are from the same companies that installed and maintain the units, creating a potential conflict. An investigation at a mall in Providence, Rhode Island, found that eight of its 26 elevators had expired inspection certificates, which could indicate safety issues. State authorities said they are aware of and trying to address the problem but, because of downsizing, are forced to do more with less.

40-STORY CONDO TOWER PROPOSED IN TORONTO

Main and Main Developments is pursuing a plan to build a 40-story condominium tower on the site of a strip mall at Dundas Street and Aukland Road in the Six Points area of Toronto, Urban Toronto reports. Its first two stories would be a glass podium occupied primarily by a grocery store, with the remaining 38 stories housing more than 370 residential units. Diamond Schmitt Architects’ design features a mix of glazes and opaque, white cladding. The plan is currently making its way through the city approval process.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-14-2015

KONE TO SUPPLY SEATTLE HOTEL, DEBUT JUMPLIFT IN U.S.

KONE has been awarded a contract to supply 36 units to the 45-story Eighth and Howell Convention Center Hotel in Seattle which, upon completion in 2018, will be the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest with 1,264 rooms. KONE plans to utilize its JumpLift self-climbing elevator during construction of two of the elevators, marking JumpLift's U.S. debut. Awarded by Elliott NE, LLC with project management by Sellen Construction, the contract includes 16 EcoSystem MRTM, six MonoSpace® and two freight elevators, 12 TravelMasterTM escalators and the PolarisTM destination-control system.

MAJOR SKYSCRAPER DEVELOPMENT OK’D IN MELBOURNE

City leaders in Melbourne, Australia, recently approved Malaysia-based PD Development Holdings' plan to build a six-skyscraper development on a car park at 93-119 Kavanagh Street in Southbank, The Age reports. To take shape in the shadow of approximately two dozen skyscrapers, including the Southern Hemisphere's tallest, Australia 108, being built nearby, the project would include four residential towers up to 72 stories, a 54-story hotel and a 37-story office building, along with retail. It would be built in phases, with a pair of residential towers, a childcare center and retail going up first.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING CECA EVENTS

The Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA) has announced upcoming 2016 events. On February 5, CECA’s Central Region meeting is planned at 4:30 p.m. at the Toronto Airport West Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario. CECA’s next golf tournament is scheduled for June 9 at the Lora Bay Golf Club in Thornbury, Ontario. It will be hosted by The Peelle Co. and Delta Elevator. For more information, email: [email protected].

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-11-2015

ADAMS CREATES NEW POSITION, PROMOTES THINNES

Adams Elevator Equipment Co. has promoted Mike Thinnes to the newly created position of Applications engineer. In this role, he will be instrumental in establishing and developing a range of hardware and software upgrade packages for Adams customers who service Westinghouse, Haughton and Schindler equipment. In his past role as associate engineer on Adams' Technical Support team, Thinnes served as a go-to person for technical assistance and troubleshooting. He most recently led support efforts for customers seeking printed circuit boards and replacement software.

STIRPE TO MANAGE WAGO SALES IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

WAGO Corp., headquartered in Germantown, Wisconsin, has hired Joe Stirpe as regional sales manager for upstate New York. He is tasked with developing a broad customer-support base and ensuring WAGO remains a key supplier to OEMs and distributors in the region. Stirpe has a diverse background in technical sales and business development, and has held leadership positions with Siemens, Invensys Eurotherm and KJ Electric Corp.

ELEVATORS TO BOOST ACCESSIBILITY AT BRONX SUBWAY STATION

A pair of elevators that will bring greater accessibility to one of the busiest subway stations in Bronx, New York, appears ready to move forward, the Bronx Times reports. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority included, as part of its 2015-2019 capital budget, US$45 million for the elevators, which will replace the unit on the east side of the 49th Street/Grand Concourse Station and add a new one on the west side. The elevators will make the station Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. Pending approval of the budget, the project is expected to start in 2016 and be complete in 2018.

http://www.elevatorworld.com/industry-news/december-10-2015-2/