Canali NYC Flagship Store
Canali’s New York flagship store features a custom crystal glass wheelchair lift, designed and installed by Handi-Lift to seamlessly integrate with its elegant aesthetic. Prioritizing exposed glass edges, the lift’s design and materials were carefully chosen to complement the store’s stunning architectural vision.
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Overview
Canali, a leader in Italian men’s fashion, unveiled its New York flagship store this year. The store's stunning architectural design included “a crystal glass lift and a marble staircase which seems suspended in mid-air.” Handi-Lift played a key role in bringing this vision to life by designing and installing a custom wheelchair lift that emphasized exposed glass edges and seamless integration into the store’s elegant aesthetic.
The store’s design required as much glass as possible, shaping every decision for the lift, from the enclosure design to the choice of materials and drive systems.
Challenge
The project presented numerous challenges:
Glass-Centric Design: The design team required maximum glass exposure with polished stainless finishes and minimal structural obstructions, leaving no horizontal support for the lift’s 24-foot-high enclosure.
Vertical Platform Lift Limitations: The floor-to-floor travel distance of 178 inches exceeded the standard capabilities of typical suppliers.
Structural and Aesthetic Demands: The enclosure had to maintain precise running clearances of 3/8” to ¾”, provide smooth interior surfaces, and align perfectly with the store’s luxurious design.
Compressed Timeline: A tight schedule required meticulous coordination between design, fabrication, and installation teams.
ADA Compliance: The adjacent entry and exit points necessitated automated doors to meet ADA requirements.
Design & Execution
Vertical Platform Lift Selection: Handi-Lift chose a Savaria roller chain hydraulic lift to handle the travel distance and weight of the platform, glass sides, and marble flooring, sourced through Mobility Elevator.
- Custom Enclosure Design: The enclosure featured:
Narrow profile polished stainless corner pieces to hold glass panels.
Glass extending from the floor to the ceiling with minimal visible hardware.
A stainless pan under the platform and marble flooring in the pit for a finished appearance from all angles.
Custom fixtures and hardware, including Dorma Model 400IG automated glass door operators installed in the floor.
Aesthetic Integration: The glass appeared embedded in the marble floor, and custom millwork and veneer panels concealed the drive system.
Collaborative Fabrication: Anthony Faglione and the teamCIS construction team worked closely with Handi-Lift, approving detailed fabrication drawings to ensure every element aligned with Canali’s vision.
Results
The final lift exceeded expectations, combining functionality with a sleek, glass-centric design that blended seamlessly into the store’s architecture. Key outcomes include:
Enhanced Accessibility: The lift provides dignified access between levels, meeting ADA standards while maintaining a luxurious appearance.
Architectural Harmony: The design successfully achieved the “crystal glass” aesthetic Canali envisioned, with exposed edges, minimal hardware, and polished finishes.
Precision Execution: Despite a compressed schedule, the collaborative efforts of Handi-Lift, teamCIS, and the Canali design team resulted in an on-time installation with exceptional attention to detail.
The Canali flagship store now features a lift that not only meets accessibility requirements but also serves as a design highlight, delivering “Accessibility with Dignity” in a way that reflects the elegance of the Canali brand.
Technical Specifications
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Lift Configuration
Vertical platform lift designed to provide accessibility across two levels with a travel distance of 178 inches (over 14 feet).
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Drive System
Equipped with a Savaria roller chain hydraulic unit, sourced through Mobility Elevator, capable of supporting the combined weight of the platform, glass sides, and marble flooring.
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Enclosure Design
- Narrow profile, polished stainless steel corner pieces clamp the glass panels.
- Enclosure extends from the lower landing to the ceiling, approximately 24 feet in height, with flush, smooth interiors and precise running clearances of 3/8” to ¾”.
- Glass was installed 48” above the upper landing to the ceiling for a seamless finish.
- Narrow profile, polished stainless steel corner pieces clamp the glass panels.
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Entrance Design
- Automated adjacent-side glass doors powered by Dorma Model 400IG operators, installed in the floor to avoid the need for a header.
- Doors feature minimal hardware, with only a door pull for a clean aesthetic.
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Platform Features
- Platform sides are 42” high with no platform gates.
- Glass on the platform is mounted in a shallow channel and trimmed in stainless steel to appear embedded in the marble floor.
- Polished stainless pan beneath the platform conceals structural components, maintaining a sleek appearance from all angles.
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Flooring and Pit Design
Marble flooring was added to the pit and platform, ensuring continuity with the surrounding finishes.
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Safety Compliance
- ADA-compliant automated entrances enhance ease of use for wheelchair users.
- Custom etched fixtures by EPCO integrate seamlessly into the design.
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Custom Millwork and Cladding
The drive system is enclosed in custom millwork, and the tower face is clad with veneer panels matching the store's aesthetic.
Location
625 Madison Ave, New York, NY
