Elevators are a common sight in most buildings, facilitating vertical transportation effortlessly. However, some elevator installations around the world break the mould and offer unique and remarkable experiences. Let’s take a journey through some of these extraordinary elevator setups that challenge conventional design.
Spain’s Elevator Dominance
As of January 2008, Spain holds the title for the nation with the most elevators installed per capita. With a staggering 950,000 elevators serving its population, Spain experiences over a hundred million lifts each day. This impressive statistic is a testament to the country’s commitment to vertical mobility. In Spain, elevators play a vital role, with maintenance costs reaching €4 million annually and repair expenses reaching a significant €250 million. Not only does Spain rely on elevators for day-to-day life, but it also exports elevators, contributing to a lucrative industry worth €300 million.
South Korea’s Elevator Innovations
South Korea boasts its share of elevator innovations. With 530,000 elevators in operation and a remarkable 36,000 added in 2015, the nation takes vertical transportation to the next level. Hyundai Elevators commands a significant 48% market share, while ThyssenKrupp Elevator Korea and Otis Elevator Korea follow closely with 17% and 16% respectively. In 2018, South Korea set a record with 50,000 elevator sales and an impressive 700,000 elevators in operation by June 2019. The annual elevator maintenance market in South Korea is estimated at a staggering US$1 billion, indicating the nation’s dedication to elevator safety and service.
Eiffel Tower’s Unique Elevator Engineering
The iconic Eiffel Tower, known worldwide for its architectural beauty, houses an extraordinary elevator system. The tower’s double-deck elevators, built into its legs, provide access from the ground level to the first and second levels. What makes them truly unique is their ability to stay horizontally level despite traveling diagonally upward along the tower’s contour. Even as the elevator shaft follows the tower’s curve, the upper and lower cars maintain their horizontal alignment. An intriguing detail is the dynamic offset between the two cars as they travel, making the journey up the Eiffel Tower a fascinating experience.
Statue of Unity: Soaring to Great Heights
The Statue of Unity, standing at a towering 182 meters (597 feet), is the world’s tallest statue. To reach the viewing gallery at a height of 153 meters (502 feet), it relies on ten high-speed elevators that can reach speeds of up to 4 meters per second (13 feet per second). These elevators provide visitors with a swift ascent to the impressive height, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Taipei 101: Elevators to the Skies
Taipei 101, a prominent office tower in Taiwan, is home to double-deck elevators that utilize Kone EcoDisc machinery. These elevators provide a unique experience for tenants, particularly those on even-numbered floors. Travelers first ascend to the 2nd level using an escalator or an elevator from the parking garage. From there, they board the upper deck to reach their respective floors. During low-volume hours, the lower deck is deactivated, and the upper deck operates as a single-level elevator, stopping at all adjacent floors. The high-speed observation deck elevators at Taipei 101 are known for their rapid acceleration, reaching a former world-record certified speed of 1,010 meters per minute (61 km/h) in just 16 seconds, and their smooth and controlled descent.
Gateway Arch: Tilting Toward the Sky
In St. Louis, Missouri, the Gateway Arch showcases a unique Montgomery elevator system. Passengers board this distinctive tramway, akin to an ordinary elevator, through double doors. The journey involves a tilting motion, which maintains the proper level orientation as passengers ascend the arch. This one-of-a-kind experience allows passengers to appreciate the arch’s interior structure as they ascend. There are two tramways at the north and south ends of the arch, offering a memorable ride with panoramic views of the surrounding area.
New City Hall, Hanover: Elevator with a Twist
The New City Hall in Hanover, Germany, boasts a rare and unique elevator. It starts its journey straight up but then changes its angle by 15 degrees to follow the contour of the hall’s dome. This tilt creates an unusual experience, with the cabin itself tilting during the ride. Travelers are treated to both a vertical and angular movement, providing a distinct sensation during the elevator ride. This architectural marvel is a testament to engineering ingenuity and creativity.
Luxor Incline Elevator: Scaling the Pyramid
The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, is shaped like a pyramid and features inclined elevators that climb its side at a steep 39-degree angle. This design complements the pyramid’s unique architecture and provides an exciting and unconventional ride. Similar inclined elevators can also be found in other locations like the Cityplace Station in Dallas, Texas, the Huntington Metro Station in Huntington, Virginia, and the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Radisson Blu, Berlin: Elevator with a View
The Radisson Blu hotel in Berlin, Germany, offers an elevator experience like no other. The main elevator is surrounded by an 82-foot-tall aquarium, housing over a thousand different fish species. Passengers are treated to a mesmerizing view of aquatic life as they travel between floors. This one-of-a-kind elevator, built by the German company GBH-Design GmbH, provides a tranquil and visually stunning journey for its passengers. However, it’s worth noting that in December 2022, the aquarium shattered, leaving behind a unique memory.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: A Thrilling Drop
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a series of elevator attractions in various Disney parks. It offers a simulated free-fall experience using high-speed elevators. Passengers are seated and secured in their seats for safety. Unlike traditional traction elevators, this system employs a rail system that continuously loops through both the top and bottom of the drop shaft, allowing for a unique vertical drop experience. Passengers are treated to a thrilling, gravity-defying descent, making it a standout attraction at Disney parks.
“Top of the Rock” Elevators: A Journey with a View
Guests ascending to the 67th, 69th, and 70th level observation decks atop the GE Building at Rockefeller Center in New York City enjoy a high-speed glass-top elevator ride. What makes this experience exceptional is that the elevator’s ceiling is made of glass, providing passengers with a unique view of the elevator shaft as they ascend and descend. The journey is enhanced with music, animations, and special lighting, creating a dynamic and visually engaging ride.
The Haunted Mansion: Elevator Illusion
Part of the Haunted Mansion attraction in Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Disneyland in Paris, France, takes place in an elevator known as the “stretching room.” This elevator travels downwards and is used to access a tunnel leading to the rest of the attraction. What makes it fascinating is that the elevator has no ceiling, allowing passengers to see the walls of the shaft by looking up. This clever design creates the illusion of the room stretching, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the ride.