CharElevation

Thank you all so much for 1000 subscribers!

3 weeks ago |[YT] | 5

CharElevation

Today, I got the chance to check out something that not many people will ever get to experience again: the famous Allied Arts Building in Lynchburg, VA! The building is now apartments, and unfortunately, it has keycard access at the entrances and elevators, along with 24/7 monitored security cameras throughout the property (including the elevators). After buying some water bottles at the convenience store, I asked the kind lady working there if I could take a quick look at the elevators. She was very nice and graciously allowed me inside to take some photos. It was awesome to see these former Houghton elevators, now modernized with Thyssenkrupp G-Power equipment and MAD BS Classic fixtures. She also explained that the security systems were added to keep unauthorized visitors out. I’m very grateful she gave me the opportunity to see and photograph these amazing elevators. Hopefully, someday I can get permission from the owner or a resident to actually ride them.
For now, I definitely would not recommend trying to access or ride these elevators without permission. It’s a guarantee bust. I’m just thankful I got the chance to see them!

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2 months ago |[YT] | 3

CharElevation

I have been adding information about the elevator itself to every YouTube video description. I thought it would be helpful to feature every modern mid-rise to high-rise elevator model in one post. Another post will feature every modern low-rise elevator model.

Otis Gen2 (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 15
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Carilion Parking Garage in Roanoke VA, Otis in Florence SC

Otis Gen2 (Mid-High-Rise)
Both (MRL or MR)
Min Floors - 15
Max Floors - 30
350 FPM
700 FPM

Examples: Wyndham Grand Resort in Clearwater Beach FL, Empire State Building in New York City NY

Otis Gen3 Edge (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 15
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: The Hive at 3 Crossings in Pittsburgh PA, Ford Motor Headquarters in Dearborn MI

Otis Gen3 Peak (Mid-High-Rise)
Both (MRL or MR)
Min Floors - 15
Max Floors - 30
350 FPM
500 FPM

Examples: Universal Hotels (Helios Grand, Stella Nova, Terra Luna Resorts), Obama Presidential Center in Chicago IL

Otis SkyRise (High-Rise)
Traction MR
Min Floors - 30
Max Floors - 200
700 FPM
2000 FPM

Examples: Willis Tower In Chicago IL, 30 Hudson Yards in New York City NY

TK Synergy (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 20
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Hampton Inn & Suites Roanoke VA, Center In The Square in Roanoke VA

TK Evolution 100 (Mid-Rise Performance)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 30
150 FPM
500 FPM

Examples: Springhill Suites in Fredrick MD, Tru in Gaylord MI

TK Evolution 200 (Mid-Rise Performance)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 30
150 FPM
500 FPM

Examples: The Sphere in Las Vegas, Alder Garage in Falls Church Va

TK Momentum (High-Rise)
Traction MR
Min Floors - 30 (custom orders 10 - 29)
Max Floors - 200
700 FPM
2000 FPM

Examples: One World Trade Center in New York City, Freedom Tower, Liberty University, Lynchburg VA

Schindler 3300 (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 20
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: The Cannery in Davis CA, Legoland Hotel in Goshen NY

Schindler 3300 XL (Mid-Rise Service)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 20
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Mall of America in Bloomington MN, Tampa International Airport in Tampa FL

Schindler 5000 (Mid-Rise Service)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 20
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Too New

Schindler 5500 (Mid-Rise Performance)
Both (MRL or MR)
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 30
350 FPM
500 FPM

Examples: Tyson’s Corner Center in Tyson’s VA, New Dick’s House of Sports locations

Schindler 7000 (High-Rise)
Traction MR
Min Floors - 30 (custom orders 10 - 29)
Max Floors - 200
700 FPM
2000 FPM

Examples: One Vanderbilt in New York City NY, Hilton Arlington VA

KONE EcoSpace (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 15
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Mody Place in Sugar Land TX, Glass House in Vinita OK

KONE MonoSpace 500 DX (Mid-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 2
Max Floors - 15
150 FPM
350 FPM

Examples: Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford NJ, Universal Epic Universe

KONE MonoSpace (Mid-High-Rise)
Traction MRL
Min Floors - 15
Max Floors - 30
350 FPM
500 FPM

Examples: Gaylord Palm’s Resort in Kissimmee FL, Tyson’s Corner Center Parking Terrence E in Tyson’s VA

KONE MiniSpace (High-Rise)
Traction MR
Min Floors - 30 (custom orders 10 - 29)
Max Floors - 200
700 FPM
2000 FPM

Examples: Marriott in Kansas City MO, Signa in Atlanta GA

2 months ago (edited) |[YT] | 4

CharElevation

I am pleased to announced that starting July 1, I will be switching to daily video uploads! I have worked super hard towards reaching this milestone and I hope you all enjoy what’s ahead.

Thanks!

4 months ago |[YT] | 5

CharElevation

New video title. Happy 33 years of elevator photography!

4 months ago (edited) |[YT] | 3

CharElevation

I’ve been hearing a lot of opinions about the TKE–Kone merger, and I think it’s worth sharing my perspective. If you’ve been following the situation, you know that TK Elevator and KONE have been in discussions for quite some time. As of now, the deal is officially finalized, with TKE becoming part of Kone, and the full integration expected to take place sometime next year.
I anticipate that many of TKE’s existing models will eventually be phased out. Since Kone does not offer a particularly wide range of models to begin with, this merger could ultimately work in its favor by helping to streamline and strengthen its overall product lineup.
There has also been some confusion surrounding TKE’s identity. While the name “TKE” originates from Thyssenkrupp Elevator, the company is now separate from Thyssenkrupp. Thyssenkrupp remains a publicly traded company, although its non-elevator business segments have not been performing particularly well in recent years. TKE, on the other hand, became a private company following the split, which is an important distinction.
Meanwhile, major competitors such as Schindler Group, KONE, and Otis Worldwide Corporation are all publicly traded, placing them in a different position within the market.
Even after the separation, TKE still appears to be underperforming relative to its competitors. As a private company, it is significantly smaller than it was under Thyssenkrupp, and that shift seems to have had a noticeable impact. In the past, the quality and consistency of its elevator models felt more reliable, whereas in recent years there has been a discernible decline. This perception is further reinforced by the underwhelming reception of the TKE EOX and EOX-H models, which have struggled to meet expectations not only within the elevator community but in the broader market. For that reason, TKE could ultimately benefit from the merger as well.
Even assuming both companies have good intentions, I’m still not a fan of the merger. I do think KONE has improved in quality in the United States in recent years. I was never particularly impressed with Kone in the past, especially during the era of the EcoSpace model, but discontinuing it in favor of the MonoSpace DX lineup was a step in the right direction.
That said, KONE is already a massive global corporation, and this merger would only make it even larger. Companies like Otis Worldwide Corporation and Schindler Group are already well-established and stable worldwide. Expanding KONE’s scale further could increase pressure on independent elevator companies, making it more difficult for them to compete.
I’m concerned that the emergence of an even larger market leader could push smaller elevator companies out of business. A newly formed mega-company would likely attract more customers due to its size, resources, and brand recognition, potentially leaving independent providers with fewer opportunities to gain business.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens in the coming months. This could turn out to be either very beneficial or potentially harmful.

5 months ago |[YT] | 4

CharElevation

New video

5 months ago |[YT] | 3

CharElevation

The biggest deal in elevator history!

rise-together.kone.com/#timeline

5 months ago (edited) |[YT] | 2

CharElevation

A lot of you don’t know, my great-grandfather was a construction worker and he built many iconic buildings in the Grand Rapids area. He built the very first ever superstore (Thrifty Acres later Meijer), the Grand Rapids Airport, and this building. Because he was a construction worker, he worked elevator companies. The two elevator companies he worked with were Otis and Montgomery (later Kone). The elevator’s in this building are Montgomery A-Series Series 90 tractions. The escalators are Otis. It would be a dream to tour this amazing property and ride an elevator that my great-grandfather helped build. Unfortunately the only original elevator at Grand Rapids Airport is a service elevator. I don’t know what brand it is (probably Otis or Montgomery) but it got a slap on more with Innovation Universal. The Dover Impulse and VR were installed when the airport went international.

10 months ago |[YT] | 4

CharElevation

A HUGE thank you to Otis Elevator for this incredible piece!

1 year ago |[YT] | 7