Dunwell picked for 56th St. project

Real Estate Weekly, March 27, 2002

Dunwell Elevator has been awarded the contract for a complete overhaul of two front passenger elevators at City Center, 130 West 56th St., replacing the original 80-year-old manually operated systems with fully automatic operations, announces Al Milo, president of the full-service elevator maintenance, repair and modernization firm.

The work includes both mechanical and cosmetic upgrades. Currently, the elevators are operated by the original overhead machines. The old elevators are to be replaced with state-of-the-art traction machines, and a modem system that includes new motors, micro processor controls, SCR drives that transform AC current to DC current (eliminating DC current in the building), shaftway landing tracks and hangers, door operators, car push button stations and hall push button stations.

In addition, new elevator cabs will be installed in a design befitting one of Manhattan's oldest city-owned performing arts center. The elevators are used exclusively by the administrators, office staff and performers of City Center, and are not available to the general public at performances, except for the transport of physically challenged or disabled audience members.

Dunwell, working with DTM Consulting, has scheduled the completion of the project for end of October 2002, taking only one elevator out of service at a time, and ensuring minimal disruption to City Center's daily operations. In addition to the two passenger elevators, the building has two freight elevators, one of which was previously modernized by Dunwell Elevator and one, the stage elevator, still manually operated. Moreover, Dunwell Elevator has been City Center's exclusive elevator service contractor for more than ten years.

City Center was built in 1923 as a meeting hall for the members of the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The building was saved from destruction by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and City Council President Newbold Morris.