The Challenge – Retrofit Elevator of Historic Building
August 18, 2015
The Challenge – An Elevator in Limited Space
August 18, 2015The Challenge
When Clarence Bergen of Urban Life Pools and Hot Tubs had a vision for a new facility in Steinbach, Manitoba, it included a glass elevator. The elevator would be the center of the showroom. To accomplish that dream, he began by calling big elevator companies. Unfortunately, his experience was not a good one. He would leave messages but receive no callbacks. He knew, due to the Canadian winter, he needed the fastest installing elevator, but also a unique look to make his dream a reality. But no one seemed to want to help.
Bergen said, “I was getting nowhere and wasting time. I could tell by their attitude that they didn’t have time for me or my project.” The challenge was speaking to an elevator professional that would help him make his dream a reality. The challenge was a quick installing but highly custom elevator hoistway and car.
The frame for the glass elevator at Urban Life was constructed out of tough 4×4 inch steel.
After the manufacturing process, the elevator waits to be delivered to Urban Life in Manitoba. Note the cab is already in the shaft when shipped.
The Urban Life glass elevator included a glass elevator cab. It was built by the skilled artisans at Phoenix Modular Elevator.
A crane is used to drop the complete elevator into place.
The glass elevator for Urban Life in Manitoba was placed in the center and then the building was constructed around it.
All that was needed was for the glass to put into place and the elevator to be installed.
The Solution - Fastest Installing Elevator
He then called Phoenix Modular Elevator (PME) and with their help, he began to start piecing together the project that he had in mind. First, he wanted a self-supporting elevator in the center of the building. Second, the cost was a factor. The $200,000 number being kicked around by big elevator companies was a bit much, even for a dream. He wanted a glass elevator to match the design of the rest of the building. Finally, time was a big factor due to temperatures and the construction schedule.
He knew right away that PME was different. They answered the phone and not only that, they were friendly, professional and responsive. Also, they were willing to discuss the project Clarence had in mind and how they could work together to make the dream a reality. Self-supporting structure? Check. Cost-effective? Check. The outlandish $200,000 price tag seemed like an amount big elevator companies used to discourage his plans. With PME, they were able to make the numbers work. Glass elevator? Check. PME worked with Clarence to meet all of his specs for the job.
The result is a great elevator that measured up to the dream.
It may seem odd that an Illinois company would be providing Canadians with elevators. However, the unique approach used to build and install them makes PME elevators a perfect match for any project. PME elevators begin with heavy 4X4 inch, tube steel columns and beams that make up the frame. Horizontal construction allows for greater quality control and faster production.
At the same time, the elevator car is being constructed to the customer’s specifications and readied to be inserted in the horizontal shaft.
The glass elevator hoistway was left uncovered, or “naked”, although most elevators PME produces are covered in fire-rated material. Then non-proprietary components, including the car, are installed and wired in the factory. The old way of building an elevator is to build the shaft on a job site vertically, then assemble the components inside the vertical shaft in less than optimal conditions. That process takes months and means a dangerous working environment in the cold, snow and rain, causing construction delays. This dated method is less safe. It is more confined and requires more time to build. This slows construction projects and increases costs.
A Phoenix Modular elevator is built in a factory to exact specifications. It is then shipped on a truck to the location and hoisted into place at the job site. This requires only a few days of final installation work before it is ready for inspection. It truly is the fastest installing elevator.
If getting the fastest installing elevator that is unique and decorative is important to you, click the button below to get a free quick quote for a project you have in mind.
