My client is building a 44 unit mid-rise 4 story building. The architect said he doesn’t need 2 elevators. I disagree. Who’s right?

My client is building a 44 unit mid-rise 4 story building. The architect said he doesn’t need 2 elevators. I disagree. Who’s right? They are 150k each.

This piqued my interest so I googled. Several articles recommend 1 elevator for every 50 to 60 units.

PS: if you trust the architect to design your property, I'd trust him on this decision as well.

Judy Lin Shaw I do but he’s not the one doing management after ha! I’m worried about move in/outs

Laura Renaldo I've managed several lease ups so I totally understand. The cost to purchase and maintain may not outweigh the benefit of scheduling move ins and move outs, though. I'm curious what the ADA requirements are when there's only one elevator and you're waiting on parts.

good question

Judy Lin Shaw how about a leak that disables and 9th floor heart attack has to wait for emt go carry gurney up down 9 flights stairs...ADA allows for temporary outages.

When the elevator breaks its a horror! I have a 7 story historical bldg with 1 elevator that was down weeks waiting for a part. Lawsuit due to a resident needed to move out...no elevator. 1 resident rented a RV due to not being able to get up and down. Nightmare!

Tina Cavaco my concern as well

Totally agree!!! The person thinking they only need one has no idea of the maintenance issues that come with each one of them!

It isn't about right or wrong other than building code minimums.It is about resident experience and convenience.Is this a young professionals community and commuting to work is common ? 3rd and 4th might wait for elevator. 10 or 15 people per floor 6am to 730am ? 4 people every 15 minutes ?2nd floor will take steps in morning if elevator is full each time.And, lastly, trust the architect. They actually know what they are doing for space and systems utilizations.

Get TWO elevators! One breaks down, then one is still usable. Think about furniture movers and having to wait for the lift when it’s at the top floor and you need it on the ground floor.

I managed 102 units, 3 stories, 1 elevator. Traffic-wise that was plenty.

Karen I agree with this. We have a 92 unit 3 story building with one elevator and it's plenty for both move-in/out traffic and commuter use.

Financially I understand where he’s coming from however, when the single elevator breaks down (which it will at some point) and you can’t get the parts immediately or the elevator repair people can’t get there fast enough OR he has to pay the after hours price for them to come out at night or on a weekend, he’ll wish he had chosen two.

My building has 32 units total with 4 floors and 1 elevator is more than enough

Outside of ADA requirements you don’t “need” any. Will you get better rents on your upper floors if you have one? Yes. Will you get better rents on your upper floors if you have 2? Little harder to find any objective data to support that purchase….

No 2 I have one used all the time but when it go's down helping resident up the third floor. Is hard for them

Trust me, with 11 units per floor and 4 floors, you want one for each end of the building for maximum living experience. I am speaking from experience on both sides. Now, what I'd really be concerned about though, is parking space ratio Are architects still using the outdated 1.5 spaces per apartment??

I have 103 unit 4 story building with 2 wings 1 elevator on each side and you can't cross over. I wish i had 2 elevators on each side. Elevator is down and you're out of luck.

What does city code say? How does the expense affect NOI?

I have a building of 50 units, 5 stories and we only have 1 elevator. Another building is 110 units, 7 stories and we have 2When it goes down it’s a nightmare but it’s very doable for 44 units

Just 1. They are very expensive to maintain

One is perfectly fine

I agree with that ratio. I have many new builds and 1 is enough.

One

Having lived in a building fully occupied with only two elevators for 250 units for the last 5 years - I wonder how often one elevator would break. We have had two occurrences in 5 years. I’m not sure adding a second elevator out of concern of one breaking down makes sense from an investment standpoint.

I think it can depend. I live in a 7 story 250 unit side of a building with only 2 elevators. It’s fine.

I had a 45 unit 7 story building and 1 elevator was more than enough. No one had to wait more than 2-3 minutes and that was only during rush hour. The wait was 30 seconds 95% of the day. That being said, if your friend is willing to spend the money to provide a more “luxurious” feel then go for it.

Two is way overkill for 44 units IMHO.

I agree that a 44 unit building doesn’t need 2 elevators. We’re also a 4-story mid-rise and our one elevator suffices plenty for 96 units.

It will break down and residents will complain they can’t get down the steps- disabled people won’t be able to get down steps when it breaks.. I’d suggest two just to be safe and avoid issues

2 for the customer service experience and redundancy