Codes and regulations for elevators in the United States are a key factor in inflating costs of multifamily development, argues a guest columnist in the New York Times.
“Elevators in North America have become over-engineered, bespoke, handcrafted and expensive pieces of equipment that are unaffordable in all the places where they are most needed,” writes Stephen Smith, founder and executive director of the Center for Building in North America. “Special interests here have run wild with an outdated, inefficient, overregulated system.”
The U.S. has around one million elevators, the same amount of much less populated European countries Italy and Spain. Spain, Smith writes, has less than half as many apartments as the U.S., but has many more elevators in smaller multifamily buildings.
European elevator regulations allow for smaller units that accommodate one wheelchair and another person. U.S. standards demand units twice that size and discourage or prevent modular construction that could reduce costs.
A basic four-stop elevator costs about $158,000 in New York City, compared with about $36,000 in Switzerland, Smith points out. In addition, elevator standards are harmonized across Europe, but in North America, nearly 100 separate boards and jurisdictions regulate elevator safety.
Smith’s proposed remedies include:
- Adopting the European elevator standard to open the market to more competition and parts
- Allowing smaller elevators for small apartment buildings that are at risk of having no elevator at all
- Consider accommodating less credentialed immigrants like those who work in construction, as in the European Union
- Improve vocational and technical training in public high schools to supply the elevator industry with more native-born workers
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Oct 22, 2024
Project financing tempers robust demand for multifamily housing
AEC Giants with multifamily practices report that the sector has been struggling over the past year, despite the high demand for housing, especially affordable products.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2024
North Carolina’s code policies likely worsened damage caused by Hurricane Helene
The North Carolina Legislature’s rejection of building code updates likely worsened the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, code experts say. Over the past 15 years, lawmakers rejected limits on construction on steep slopes, which might have reduced the number of homes destroyed by landslides.
MFPRO+ News | Oct 16, 2024
One-third of young adults say hurricanes like Helene and Milton will impact where they choose to live
Nearly one-third of U.S. residents between 18 and 34 years old say they are reconsidering where they want to move after seeing the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, according to a Redfin report. About 15% of those over age 35 echoed their younger cohort’s sentiment.
MFPRO+ News | Oct 9, 2024
San Francisco unveils guidelines to streamline office-to-residential conversions
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection announced a series of new building code guidelines clarifying adaptive reuse code provisions and exceptions for converting office-to-residential buildings. Developed in response to the Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse program established in July 2023, the guidelines aim to increase the viability of converting underutilized office buildings into housing by reducing regulatory barriers in specific zoning districts downtown.
Mixed-Use | Oct 7, 2024
New mixed-use tower by Studio Gang completes first phase of San Francisco waterfront redevelopment
Construction was recently completed on Verde, a new mixed-use tower along the San Francisco waterfront, marking the end of the first phase of the Mission Rock development. Verde is the fourth and final building of phase one of the 28-acre project that will be constructed in several phases guided by design principles developed by a design cohort led by Studio Gang.
Sponsored | | Oct 7, 2024
ProWood® FR Used in Two 6-Story Multifamily Units
How ProWood FR Fire-Retardant Treated Products Benefited this affordable housing project
Affordable Housing | Oct 4, 2024
3 new affordable housing projects for October 2024
As affordable housing continues to grow, more projects are looking to diversify their footprint by adding mixed-use components, community areas, and more.
MFPRO+ News | Sep 24, 2024
Major Massachusetts housing law aims to build or save 65,000 multifamily and single-family homes
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently signed far-reaching legislation to boost housing production and address the high cost of housing in the Bay State. The Affordable Homes Act aims to build or save 65,000 homes through $5.1 billion in spending and 49 policy initiatives.
MFPRO+ News | Sep 23, 2024
Minnesota bans cannabis smoking and vaping in multifamily housing units
Minnesota recently enacted a first-in-the-nation statewide ban on smoking and vaping cannabis in multifamily properties including in individual living units. The law has an exemption for those using marijuana for medical purposes.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 12, 2024
White paper on office-to-residential conversions released by IAPMO
IAPMO has published a new white paper titled “Adaptive Reuse: Converting Offices to Multi-Residential Family,” a comprehensive analysis of addressing housing shortages through the conversion of office spaces into residential units.