81 Colmore Row – Hidden Platform Lifts

81 Colmore Row is located within Birmingham's business district. The building is a Grade II listed Victorian building which has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment. The building originally built as a Silversmith in 1871 boasts 6 renovated floors with floors 1 to 4 open as office spaces. 

During the refurbishment works, Access Lifts worked with architectural practice, AHR, to design and specify 3x platform lifts on site. 2 of the lifts would be fitted externally at the front of the building whilst the third was an internal platform lift providing access to the 4th floor mezzanine. Design work started with AHR in 2021 through to award of the contract with main contractor Graham in 2022. The lifts were fitted on site in Spring 2023 prior to the opening of the building. 

Each lift had a set of unique challenges to overcome. The main critical hurdle for the external lifts was for them to be sympathetic to the Grade II listed front facade of the building. In addition the newly developed upper landings had reduced space due to the building's boundary with the public pavement and had to match existing railings. The lifts also featured bespoke pit arrangements so that access could be maintained into the cellar spaces below. 

The external hidden lifts feature on platform handrails with key switched control columns, 100mm retractable stainless steel shields and bespoke automatic upper landing gates. The above ground metalwork of the lift and gate are powder-coated in the site wide Interpon bronze colour to match the external railings, handrails, doors and window frames. The retractable shields beneath the platform prevent unauthorised access into the pit as well as reduce general wear and tear of being on a busy public pavement in a major city. Lifts also feature call + send remote controls for use by stand inside the building.

The internal platform lift provide access across the 4th floor and mezzanine. The lift features a custom small platform size due to the restricted size on site. It is powder-coated RAL 9005 - Jet Black to match accents on 4th floor. 

Location: Birmingham

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2023

To see projects similar to the 81 Colmore Row click on the following links:

16 St Martin's Le Grand | Beaumont Hotel | Leighton House Museum | Lincoln Cathedral | Broadwalk House |Ridley Hall Cambridge 

 

Hidden platform lift on the right side of the Chatwin Building on Colmore Row in Birmingham
The platform lift features a retractable shield on its perimeter
The platform lift at Colmore Row provides disabled access to the restaurant
The platform lift at 83 Colmore Row features an automatic gate which is finished in bronze railings
The left side of the Chatwin Building features a symmetrical lift providing disabled access to the office side
The platform lift on the left side of 79-83 Colmore Row provides access to the office side
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