AUSTRALIAN HOME-ELEVATOR MANUFACTURERS BUSIER THAN EVER
Home-elevator manufacturers in Australia are busier than ever, as a variety of factors — including the price of land forcing people to build up, the desire for convenience, and an aging population — have created unprecedented demand, Domain reports. Home elevators have also become more affordable, with a unit selling for less than half the approximately AUS$70,000 (US$52,250) it did years ago, according to David Mayer of Compact Home Lifts. Mayer said his company is selling 25 lifts a month, compared with only one or two several years ago. Erica Collins of The Residential Lift Co. said even people who have no mobility issues are opting for elevators to transport groceries, laundry and even pets, adding, "I don't think there's a lift company in Australia that's keeping up with demand."
ELEVATORS FIGURE BIG IN NYC MTA’S ACCESSIBILITY CATCH-UP PLAN
New York City’s (NYC) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has embarked on a catch-up plan to bring subway-station accessibility from 25% to 100%, a plan that includes installing elevators at all of its 472 stations to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Bond Buyer reports. Alex Elegudin, the authority’s first-ever accessibility executive (ELENET 740), is helping guide the effort, which is being fueled by approximately US$5 billion earmarked for accessibility upgrades, and an additional US$479 million to replace 42 elevators and 27 escalators. NYC Transit President Andy Byford, to whom Elegudin reports, said “quick wins” can be scored with a skeptical public through better communication and making the existing elevator fleet more reliable.
ELEVATOR ISSUES AFFECTING SENIORS PROBED IN CLEVELAND
Elevator breakdowns in high-rise senior-living facilities in Cleveland were the focus of an investigation by WOIO-WUAB, which shared tips from city officials for seniors affected by such issues. There are approximately 3,900 elevators in Cleveland, one of two cities in Ohio that handles its own elevator inspections —conducted once a year. A big percentage of elevator rescues happen at senior high-rise apartments, the source noted. An official with the Department of Building and Housing urged people to report elevator outages in their buildings, observing that “unless somebody calls, we don’t know.” He said fear of retaliation should not be an issue, since reports are anonymous.
30-STORY TOWER ON TRACK FOR 2019 COMPLETION IN NYC
Four years after permits were filed, construction on the 481-ft.-tall, 30-story 1059 Third Avenue on New York City’s (NYC) Upper East Side has risen to 21 floors, New York YIMBY reports. Developed by Real Estate Inverland and Third Palm Capital, the Manuel Glas Architects-designed building will include 38 apartments starting on the sixth floor, hospital facilities on the third and fourth floors and office space on the second floor. The 18th floor will host an array of amenities, including a fitness center, pool and lounge. Topping out is expected by the end of this year, with completion anticipated by the end of 2019.
“CHEESEGRATER 2” CLEARS HURDLE IN LONDON DESPITE CONCERNS
Despite concerns it would overshadow the Tower of London and other historic structures, London city planners have recommended approval for a 263.4-m-tall, 57-story skyscraper designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill dubbed Cheesegrater 2 (due to its similarity to the nearby Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ Leadenhall Building), Building Design reports. Formally known as 100 Leadenhall Street, the building was designed for Hong Kong-based Lai Sun Development. If built, it would be the Square Mile’s third tallest building behind 1 Undershaft and 22 Bishopsgate.
Image courtesy domain.com.au:
https://www.domain.com.au/news/going-up-why-more-australians-are-installing-lifts-in-their-homes-20180707-h12bj1-751463/
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