Hidden Lifts at the Devonshire Club

An exclusive members' club in Devonshire Square in the City of London asked us to come up with plans to fit both an outside step lift and a platform lift within the lobby. The Devonshire Club needed products that would fit in with the club's appearance with a blend of traditional and modern decor. The Devonshire Club features 3 large bars, 2 lounges and plenty of outdoor space in particular a large stone laid terrace and garden. The club also features restaurants and 68 rooms available to both members and non-members with the usual functions rooms and event spaces available for conferences and meetings.

SUSD, the firm behind the project, were looking for an indoor platform lift to be installed between the reception and main bar so that disabled guests could make use of the club's facilities. The difference in floor level was 1000mm and the client did not want a cumbersome platform lift so instead chose one of our products. The lift was installed in a mirrored glass shaft to match the building's existing wall. In addition, the lift's platform was finished with the original stone flooring so that the platform disappears into the floor on the ground floor. The door into the bar area was made out of hard wood to match the bar's decor for a stunning finish.

In addition to the lift connecting the reception and bar, the client needed an outdoor step lift so that guests could enjoy the winter gardens that are situated outside of the club. As the travel for the lift was only small, we installed another platform lift which matched the stone laid terrace. This lift is extremely versatile as well as being rugged and the original flooring or tiles can be used so the lift can become hidden in plain sight. The lift was finished with a glass door to match the glass balustrade of the rest of the terrace. The client was extremely pleased with the finished of both lifts and how seamlessly they blended into the building's aesthetics.

Retail Lift at Local Opticians

Optique 2000 is an opticians in Wimborne, offering high quality glasses for customers all over Dorset. Due to increased demand for their glasses Optique needed to look to expand their business, they had 2 options, they either had to move to larger premises or look to expand the current site to maximise the retail space. They had a stock room upstairs but access was difficult so they couldn't turn it into a sales floor without making it easier for customers and staff alike to get up there. A simple shop lift was the best option to increase their sales floor.

They chose to install a Vector system, a lift that comes in its own aluminium shaft, it also only needs a 50mm pit below the floor level. This means that there is little builder's work with minimal cost. The lift fitted had dimensions of 1400mm x 1100mm with automatic doors on both floors. The shop lift was finished in gloss white with glazed glass doors to give the lift a spacious and airy feel in what was a small space. The lift was fitted in 2 days and has led to Optique doubling their retail space without having to move from their current in location in the heart of Wimborne.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

We were approached by the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead who were looking to supply wheelchair access to part of their art gallery. The Baltic Centre is a converted flour mill located on the soutbaek of the River Tyne in Gateshead. The local landmark plays host to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and holds several world renowned exhibitions. In fact the mill was the first venue outside of London and Liverpool to host the Turner Prize in its 25 year history. The client wanted an access solution that would provide both the necessary access for all visitors but also be in keeping with the BALTIC's contemporary design. A compliant ramp would require at least 6 metres of slope to get over the 500mm rise across the split floor levels.

In order to create a simple solution that wouldn't disrupt the interior of the building with a more traditional platform lift we designed a small hidden scissor step lift. The step lift would firstly rise above the height of the 3 steps between the galleries then travel across to the upper floor level and then lower slightly to meet the floor level. The total travel for the lift was 5o0mm vertically followed by 700mm horizontally, the lift has a maximum load of 450kg so can easily take a wheelchair and even the heaviest of electric mobility scooters. The lift was finished with the same hardwood flooring as the gallery and so disappears into the floor when not in use. The lift was installed in a day and was ready to use by mid afternoon the same day.

To see more of our hidden platform lifts click on the following links:

200 Grays Inn Road | Sissinghurst Castle Garden | 24 Chiswell Street | Devonshire Club | Platform Lift for Ribs

Platform Lift at Audi Northampton

The General Manager of Audi Northampton came to us to ask if we could design a solution so that wheelchair users could get from one side of the showroom to the other side with a floor level difference of over a metre. He really didn’t want a ramp as it wouldn’t match the showroom’s aesthetics and would take up much needed retail space. Ramps can take up to 40m² and so really aren’t the option for busy shop floors and retail spaces! Therefore a disabled platform lift was the only solution.

We designed and then installed a LP8 platform lift from Guldmann with dimensions of 900mm x 1530mm with a 1200mm travel. The lift was finished in grey with glass doors and sides to match Audi’s colour scheme and the client’s requirements.

The platform lift was fitted and installed in just 1 day! The lift now allows both staff and clients alike to use both levels of the showroom and provides vital access for wheelchair users.

Hotels, Restaurants & Retail

Hidden Lifts at the Devonshire Club

For more information about lifts like the ones featured above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Retail Lift at Local Opticians

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Platform Lift at Audi Northampton

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us