Lift Modernisation

The Richmond Building was originally built in 1965 and remains one of the largest purpose-built students’ union buildings in the UK, with a floor area equivalent to nearly 4 full-size football pitches and serves 8 floors. The re-design of the £30 million project started 5 years ago.

Phase 1 was completed in March 2013, incorporating a new focal entrance foyer, swimming pool changing village, teaching and administrative spaces to the upper floors & remodeled public realm.

Phase 2 was completed in December 2014 and boasts 200 new study spaces, with spectacular views across the city, two state-of-the-art theatres, two café bars, several activity rooms, a digital media suite, dance studios, music studios and a refurbished gig venue, The Anson Rooms, with a capacity for over 1,000 people.

Each lift was programmed for a three week lift down time period with the hotel managing their booking operations to suit. This ensured that guests with access difficulties were not inconvenienced. To complete the project Concept co-ordinated between 4 of their appointed sub-contractors, namely the electrician, the lift engineering team, the car re-line contractor and the independent lift tester. With hard work and great communication Concept Elevators delivered the first lift early, allowing the customer to let us start works on the second lift a week early. Concept Elevators delivered the whole project two weeks early much to the delight of our customer and their guests.

This lift was planned over a three week period, again co-ordinating with the hotel so they could manage book- ings and protect their guests from any unnecessary disruption and inconvenience. To complete the project Concept co-ordinated between 4 of their appointed trusted contractors, namely the electrician, the lift engineering team, the car re-line contractor and the independent lift tester. The most challenging element of the project was removing the car door panels, re-skinning them and adjusting the recently installed car door operated that was being maintained. The team delivered the lift on time to a satisfied customer.

This lift was planned over a challenging two week period. Using a specialist hydraulic lift sub-contractor and car re-line specialist and a few trusted regular contractors.

The work was completed on time to a very high standard. Where the lift was tested, commissioned and put into service the very same day.

The customer was extremely delighted with the results which have led to further modernisation opportunities of a similar nature and opened up discussions about the possibility of maintenance work for the group.

The magnificent surroundings, emphasis on finishes, “Listed" wall paper and a peak season proved to be the key challenges for this project. The majority of the works were contained in the lift shaft, machine room and at the top floor landing as not to disrupt the guests. The programme was tightly packed into 6 weeks with a wide variety of trades constantly in and out of site requiring careful management. The results of which is a stunning lift car Interior in conjunction with a new door and control system delivering a lift service the hotel can truly rely on.