Emigrant Savings Bank
The Emigrant Savings Bank at 10 Downing Street in Manhattan installed a new vertical lift to enhance accessibility for its senior customers while seamlessly blending with the historic building’s design.
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Overview
The Emigrant Savings Bank at 10 Downing Street in Manhattan serves the long-time residents of Greenwich Village, many of whom are seniors who prefer face-to-face banking. To improve accessibility, the bank installed a new vertical lift to provide a better way for customers to reach the tellers. The project aimed to seamlessly integrate the lift into the bank’s historic building while maintaining the trust and confidence of its loyal clientele.
Challenge
The project faced the following challenges:
Preserving the Bank’s Atmosphere: The lift needed to reflect the bank’s established reputation and the confidence it inspires in its customers.
Architectural Integration: The lift had to blend with the existing thick brick walls and complement the adjacent curved glass balustrade, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.
Efficient Installation: The design required a unitized assembly to allow for quick and precise installation in the field, minimizing disruption to bank operations.
Design & Execution
Custom Vertical Platform Lift
The lift was wrapped in stainless steel and glass, giving it a sleek, modern appearance.
A unitized assembly was used to streamline the installation process.
Architectural Modifications
- An archway was cut into the thick brick wall to accommodate the upper landing gate, maintaining the structural integrity of the building.
- The adjacent curved glass balustrade was highlighted to add drama and elegance to the design.
Collaborative Effort
- Handi-Lift worked closely with the contractor, other trades, and the bank to ensure the lift met both functional and aesthetic goals.
Results
The new vertical lift at Emigrant Savings Bank enhances accessibility while maintaining the building’s charm and inspiring confidence in its users.
Seamless Integration: The stainless steel and glass design complements the bank’s interior and the dramatic curved glass balustrade.
Improved Accessibility: Customers, especially seniors, now have a safe and convenient way to reach the tellers.
Efficient Execution: The unitized assembly and collaborative efforts ensured a smooth installation process with minimal disruption to bank operations.
The project demonstrates Handi-Lift’s commitment to providing “Accessibility with Dignity,” even in prestigious, historic settings.
Technical Specifications
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Door Support and Hinges
Custom-fabricated stainless tubes were used to support heavy glass doors hinged opposite the mast, providing a clean and streamlined appearance. Custom pivots were handcrafted by INA Building Shop to ensure smooth operation.
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Mast Enclosure
The stainless steel box surrounding the mast houses:
- Hall stations.
- Access panel for the disconnect and manual lowering device.
- Low-voltage wiring for interlocks and control stations.
This integrated design minimized the need for extensive trade coordination.
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Glass Enclosure Design
- Originally designed to integrate the upper landing glass railing with the lift, but updated to create a separate double glass wall for structural clarity.
- The resulting double-wall design maintains a sleek aesthetic while simplifying trade responsibilities.
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Drive System Enclosure
The mast is positioned off the wall, requiring a deeper stainless steel box around the Garaventa Genesis drive system. A supportive frame was added to unitize the design and securely mount the cladding.
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Platform Side Construction
- Framed glass sides with 1”x2” stainless steel tubes were used instead of bare-edge glass.
- Infill panels are made of ¼” laminated glass, reducing weight compared to ½” glass.
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Car Operating Panel and Flooring
- Stainless car operating panel integrated into the platform’s framing for a seamless appearance.
- Custom stainless trim added at the front and back of the platform, with space left for custom flooring installation by others.
Location
10 Downing St., New York, NY
