16 St Martin’s Le Grand

16 St Martin’s Le Grand is a Grade II listed office building in the heart of the City of London, only a stone’s throw from St Paul’s Cathedral. The building offers 45,000 sq ft of office space across 8 floors. 

Access Lifts worked with award winning London based architectural firm, Barr Gazetas, to specify a Hidden Platform Lift within the new main reception area on the ground floor back in 2022. The lift was to provide a step free access route to the ground floor level for non-ambulant visitors. 

The project was awarded to London based main contractor, Structure Tone. Structure Tone then awarded the platform lift contract to Access Lifts in Q3 2023. The lift was then fitted on time near the end of the overall programme in May 2024 ready for practical completion of site by the start of June 2024. 

The lift features its trims, on platform control post, upper landing gate and surface mounted wireless landing controls in RAL 9005 - Jet black in a matt finish. This colour and finish was used across all metalwork accents including railings, door frames, window frames and light fittings. 

The upper landing gate was fabricated to match the railings both inside and outside the building with a bespoke pattern reminiscent of the Art Deco nature of the building. The gate features an electromechanical lock so that it can only be opened when the lift is at the upper floor level. 

The lift’s floor is finished in white marble to match the rest of the flooring which strikes a beautiful contrast with the black detailing found across the lobby. 

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2024

To see projects similar to the 16 St Martin's Le Grand click on the following links:

Royal Academy of Arts | Leighton House Museum | Lincoln Cathedral | Laystall Street | Broadwalk House | 200 Grays Inn Road

Hidden platform lift at St Martin's House, 16 St Martin's Le Grand in the City of London
The hidden platform lift at St Martin's Le Grand from the lower landing with the lift raised to the upper floor with the gate slightly open
The gate of the platform lift is a bespoke Art Deco design which is painted black to match the other railings
The lift features wireless call stations on both landings which are also finished in black

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

St Mary’s Guildhall

St Mary's Guildhall is a medieval building that dates back to 14th Century and is situated in the centre of Coventry. The building is located opposite the old Cathedral and has played a prominent role throughout Coventry's history. The Grade I listed building last had a major refurbishment in the 1930s with smaller scale adaptations made in recent years. Oliver Architecture based in Birmingham led the design with Croft Building Contractors carrying out the major works. Both companies work extensively in the heritage buildings and conservation sector with projects across the West Midlands as well as nationwide. As part of the refurbishment Oliver Architecture were looking at including a discreet hidden platform lift to overcome a short rise as well as an enclosed platform lift to offer step free access to the first floor. 

We offer a wide range of hidden lift options that can be tailored to site requirements. We can also change the location of the platform whether its on the upper landing, part of the steps or on the lower landing. Our bespoke hidden wheelchair lifts can be used for rises up to 1500mm. For St Mary's Guildhall, we designed a standard 1100mm x 1400mm platform with two moving steps for the 420mm change in height. The lift requires a 600mm pit below the finished floor level and can be clad in any material most commonly stone up to 30mm thickness with a total load of 100kg across the platform. In this instance Yorkstone was used to match the surrounding flooring which provides a seamless finish. Due to the flexibility of the finish our hidden lifts are perfect for heritage and listed buildings where traditional platform lifts would look out of sorts.

The lift also features stainless steel roll off protection to the lower landing side.  The lift is finished with an on platform control column and remote control key fobs for use by members of staff when events are taking place at the Guildhall. 

The package also included an enclosed platform lift that offers step free access from the ground floor to the first floor. The lift features its own self-supporting shaft with a half height upper landing gate on the first floor. The lift shaft, platform and all cladding panels when finished in RAL 9005 - Jet Black to match the interior design accents through the building. 

As part of the works, Access Lifts were also awarded the enclosed platform lift providing access from the ground floor level to the Undercroft. 

Location: Coventry

Status: Ongoing

Year Completed: 2022

To see projects similar to St Mary's Guildhall click on the following links:

Il Borro Tuscan Bistro | 200 Grays Inn Road | Lincoln Cathedral | Broadwalk House | Sissinghurst Castle Garden |  24 Chiswell Street

Hidden Step Lift at St Mary's Guildhall in Coventry in the down position
The hidden lift at St Mary's Guildhall in travel
Hidden lift at St Mary's Guildhall in the up position
The hidden platform lift at St Mary's Guildhall, the lift offers step free access for wheelchair users
The hidden lift is finished with York stone to match its surroundings
When not in use the hidden lift is simply a set of steps
The hidden platform lift features a 100mm high stainless steel roll off protection

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

Hidden Wheelchair Lift at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro

We were approached by interior designers Studio 63. They were the principal designers behind the refurbishment of 15 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, transforming it from Nobu to the new Il Borro Tuscan Bistro. The restaurant can trace its roots back to the Il Borro estate in Tuscany, Italy where the Ferragamo family have been producing fresh produce  as well as wine for generations. Il Borro Tuscan Bistro in London is the second international restaurant set up, with the first being opened in Dubai in 2017. As part of the design of the restaurant in London, there was a split level with the bar in the front portion of the building and the main restaurant area towards the back and on the first floor. 

The stairs consist of 3 risers totalling a vertical travel of 420mm and a horizontal travel of 400mm. A Part M compliant ramp would have to be over 5 metres in length for this rise. This would not only detract from the elegance of the restaurant but would also take up valuable space. Our hidden platform lifts require a shallow pit of only 155mm and can have a maximum vertical travel of 830mm and maximum horizontal travel of 900mm. With the plug and play design of these lifts, they can be installed, tested and handed over to the client in a matter of hours. 

The lift features key fob remote controls which are kept with front of house staff and at the bar so that when a customer comes to use the lift they can do so quickly and easily. In addition the lift does not feature any on platform controls which allow both staff and customers to both around the area of the lift without being impeded. Our hidden lifts feature a 22mm tray which can be fitted with any flooring, the same herringbone wooden floor was continued onto the lift allowing a seamless transition. The lift was finished with brass trims to match the brass and bronze accents seen throughout the restaurant. 

To see similar projects click on the following links. 

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2021

The lift is situated in front of the steps leading to the upper part of the restaurant
The hidden lift is in its down position
The invisible wheelchair lift is in its up position, meeting the upper landing
Step Lift at Il Borro London
Hidden platform lift with retractable barriers
The lift features retractable 100mm high protection around the edge of the platform
The bar at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro features bronze and brass accents
The hidden wheelchair lift features brass trims to match the brass accents on the bar
The lift allows access to the upper part fo the restaurant

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65, email us or click here to be taken to our hidden lifts page

Cupboard Lift in Newbury

We were asked by the building contractor Calco to come and measure for a cupboard lift for their client in Newbury. The site was a newly built farmhouse and we were told that the client wanted a lift that would be easily disguised and concealed within their home. The main challenge was that the lift shaft was relatively narrow and so limited options were available.

We decided to install the Elfo by EP, due to its versatility and ability to be designed for even the smallest of spaces, the lift shaft measured 1150mm x 1500mm. The lift travelled 6m in total across 3 floors with 800mm swing doors fitted on each floor. On both the ground floor and 1st floor, the doors matched the others on the floor and so the lift looked as if it was simply another room or cupboard.

We completed the installation within 8 days and the lift was ready for the client to move into their new home.

To see more of our home lift projects have a look at our Westbourne, Powys, Torquay, Branksome Park and Whitecliff projects.

Location: Berkshire

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2016

 

Cupboard Lift Disguised Behind Hallway Door
Cupboard Lift on 1st Floor Landing

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