“GOING UP?” Living in a luxury complex 10 North Shore Towers Courier n May 2016 like North Shore Towers it is sometimes easy to take things for granted. Because we use the elevators without much thought does not mean that Management does not give them top priority. Our safe, smooth, silent vertical transportation is maintained like any expensive automobile or piece of machinery. The elevators are checked, tested, lubed and fine-tuned on a daily basis… by an experienced expert, who is here every day, all day, to insure that each of our 24 elevator cars is working properly. There are six resident elevators in each building, plus a seventh package elevator, as well as an additional garage elevator in each. Approximately 20 years ago, when the building elevators went under major modernization for the first time since North Shore Towers opened, the KONE elevator company was selected after a competitive bidding process. “Kone” (pronounced “KO-ney)” is a Finnish word meaning “machine.” Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Helsinki, the Finnish Kone company employs 43,000 people worldwide with 1,000 offices in 50 countries. Travelers to Europe and Asia have seen their name in elevators—or lifts, as they’re called in some countries—in the tallest buildings and the most posh hotels. Office buildings and taller residences in major American cities have chosen Kone repeatedly. Jim Votke is the Kone technician who maintains our fleet. Each of our 18 building elevators carries a maximum of 2500 lbs. and is equipped with a camera that sends images to the Concierge desk, the Doorman podium and the Security Office desk. Residents are warned to practice the same decorum in the elevator that they would use in the Lobby. Inappropriate body manipulations and interpersonal behavior is occasionally recorded and displayed on the Lobby monitor screens. A frequently asked question is, “If each car goes to 17 floors, why does the high-rise elevator take longer to reach those floors when summoned?” This is because it takes time for the elevator to leave the Arcade or Lobby to reach the 17th floor before beginning its pick-up stops. The speed of our door closing has been reduced in recent years to safely accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Our computerized operation records approximately 20,000 trips each month for each car. The high winds in our area cause noises in our otherwise silent system. On average, there are 100 apartment renovations each year, each taking approximately 90 days. During that time, contractors are loading in tools, equipment, materials and appliances. On move-in day, one passenger elevator is temporarily out of service to residents. All of these factors affect your wait time. Jim Votke’s major concern is safety. To this end, he has trained our Building Superintendents in emergency procedures when he is not here. The city building inspectors come each year to check on the equipment and his repair sheets and monthly reports, which must be meticulously maintained. Someone from Kone is always on call evenings and weekends. In case of fire, our staff and the fire department use a key to immediately return all cars to the lobby, thus ensuring that no one is stuck in a car and to make the elevators available for emergency personnel. Residents moving in with king-sized sofas, pianos, or other overly large items, would do well to share the Elevator Dimensions displayed on this page with the moving company ahead of their move. My visit to the motor room revealed an immaculate space with smooth running cables, fans, bearings and governors, all lubricated and tested daily. Life provides many emotional ups and downs; it is a comfort to know that our elevators keep their ups and downs smooth and safe. By Fred Chernow // Photos by Glen Kotowski THE ELEVATORS OF NORTH SHORE TOWERS GET THEIR DUE Jim Votke stands before an elevator control panel Elevator Dimensions “Smile… You’re on Candid Camera!” Jim Votke’s major concern is safety. To this end, he has trained our Building Superintendents in emergency procedures when he is not here.
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