Federal Tax Incentives For Building/Elevator Restoration Work
August 4th, 2009. Posted in Articles
Did you know that if you have an old historic building preserving the historic look of it can qualify it for a tax credit? What are the basic requirements that determine whether a project will be eligible for the 20% tax credit?
Answer
There are 4 factors that can help you decide whether your rehabilitation project proposal would meet the basic application requirements for the 20% tax credit.
1. The historic building must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or be certified as contributing to the significance of a “registered historic district.”
Some eligible items include:
Walls
Partitions
Floors
Ceilings
Permanent coverings, such as paneling or tiles
Windows and doors
Components of central air conditioning or heating systems
Plumbing and plumbing fixtures
Electrical wiring and lighting fixtures
Chimneys
Stairs
Escalators, elevators, sprinkler systems, fire escapes
Other components related to the operation or maintenance of the building
Some ineligible items include:
Appliances
Cabinets
Carpeting (if tacked in place and not glued)
Decks (not part of original building)
Demolition costs (removal of a building on property site)
New construction costs or enlargement costs (increase in total volume)
Fencing
Feasibility studies
Financing fees
Furniture
Landscaping
Leasing expenses
Outdoor lighting remote from building
Parking lot
Paving
Planters
Porches and porticos (not part of original building)
Retaining walls
Sidewalks
Signage
Storm sewer construction costs
Window treatments
3. The project must meet the “substantial rehabilitation test.” In brief, this means that the cost of rehabilitation must exceed the pre-rehabilitation cost of the building. Generally, this test must be met within two years or within five years for a project completed in multiple phases.
4. The rehabilitation work must be done according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These are ten principles that, when followed, ensure the historic character of the building has been preserved in the rehabilitation.
1910 Otis Freight Elevator For Sale!
July 7th, 2009. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930
I recently acquired a commercial building with a 1910 Otis freight elevator. It has the original inspection certificate dated 1927 when it went into service and seems in fine shape. It was locked down decades ago and has not been touched since.
The location of this elevator is in Los Angeles California Area and all offers will be considered. If you are interested in purchasing it please contact donaldkain@hotmail.com for more information! What a cool piece of history this is! It’s like it’s own time capsule.
Cool Old Photo Found-Chicago, Reliance Elevator 1912
July 7th, 2009. Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930
This photograph was sent to us by a fan of this blog. It’s not every day you run across a random photograph with an Elevator Company Sign in the back ground. Reliance Elevator in Chicago was one of the biggest names in the city.
Enjoy it and perhaps someone who may have more information about Reliance Elevator would like to give a little history on this company in the comments section below.
Dated around 1910-1912 what a great piece of history!
June 5th, 2009
The History of the American Elevator Industry: 1850-2001
This wonderful book written by Patrick A. Carrajat on the history of the American Elevator Industry from 1850 – 2001 is now free to everyone to read. Thanks Patrick for writing such a great history book. Cool photographs combined with a wonderful time line helps this book reach its goal in preserving the history of the American Elevator Industry.
We have two versions of this book online, one that is a full resolution version which is very large in size and the other is a much smaller web quality resolution.
If you’d like to send Patrick a note thanking him for his hard work please drop him an e-mail.
LIR GROUP, INC. – 4-74 48th avenue – Penthouse 3H – L.I.C., NY 11109 – 917.748.2328 – wizard@elevatorlaw.comDownload This Great Book Below – Two Resolution Sizes To Choose From
The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 – Full Resolution 86.7mb .PDF File
The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 -Web Quality Resolution 4.7mb .PDF File
May 22nd, 2009
Historic Building/Elevator Architecture
When it comes to historic buildings and historic preservation projects the elevator itself can be one of the most important parts of the redesign process. Back when buildings with elevators were first built, in the early 1900’s, many had elevator operators who were considered the heart and soul of a building. To find an original elevator in its original condition, with car switch, ornamental gates or cages is a rare find.
When working on a historic preservation project it is important to know that it is possible to balance both a historic “look” of yesterday with code compliant features of today. Besides the elevator cab the control panel or pushbuttons of the elevator are the only pieces that a person comes into contact with. Which makes it that much more important to match the architecture of the building with the appropriate elevator accessories.
C.J. Anderson & Company’s Classic Antique Fixtures provide the perfect solution to maintaining the historic preservation of any building while at the same time helping bring the elevator up to code. Heavy solid cast yellow brass faceplates and pushbuttons take any passenger back in time and helps turn the elevator back into the showpiece it was when the building first opened.
C.J. Anderson has been working with historic preservation projects for over 20 years and has many different style castings to choose from. Car Stations, Hall Stations, Dial Indicators, Hall Lanterns, Elevator Seats, you name it, all of our fixtures are custom manufactured and finished by hand. Perfect for any historic building or residential project looking for more than just sheet metal faceplates and plastic pushbuttons, consider Classic Antique Fixtures for your next project. Contact us at 1-800-252-1910 for additional information or visit www.cjanderson.com today.
May 14th, 2009
Historic Buildings or Parking Spaces….
It amazes me that buildings like the Peoples Bank Building in Waynesburgh, PA are found by unique individuals and investors who can comprehend the treasure it holds. I was lucky enough to find this website with the help of Nessa who took photographs, posted them on Flickr and pointed me to http://peoplesbankwaynesburg.wordpress.com . The Photographs can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/statlerhotel/sets/72157617235958321 which are equally cool.
Isn’t the internet cool! I tell you, better than sliced bread. Way to go in restoring this classical piece of history! I hope they are able to keep as much of the elevator as possible! What’s crazy is that at one time they were considering razing the building for additional parking space. Thank goodness someone had some common sense!
Photograph Date: 1910.
May 7th, 2009
Old Antique Components Are Desired!
At the Demolition Depot in NY they have two pages dedicated to old elevator parts. They even have full elevator cabs! You might be asking yourself, is there a market for this old equipment and who might buy it? Yes there is a market for this stuff. The people who are interested include the following.
- Those who love old elevators and have them in there private residences and homes.
- Those who have historic buildings and are looking to preserve the original look of it.
- Building owners that have gotten grants for historic preservation restoration work.
If you ever run accross old elevator parts like the ones shown here: http://www.demolitiondepot.com/vo/demo/inv/list.asp?CAT1=Elevators+(plus+parts+%26+doors)&CAT2=miscellaneous&CATC=elev&start=11 save them! Open a storefront for free over on www.elevatorgear.comand post them for sale. Ebay is also an option for sale but keep in mind those hunting for elevator goodies their are looking for a good deal, not some historic piece of memorabilia.
If you also have old elevator components as shown on the Demolition Depot, there are companies who can restore these pieces to their original condition; www.cjanderson.com specializes in this kind of work.
Enjoy the link everyone! There are some great pieces here!
May 2nd, 2009
Antique Elevator Cage For Sale
Again, the Internet amazes me! It’s not every day you see an antique elevator for sale! I am not sure who manufactured the entire unit but I can identify the car control pushbutton. The pushbutton station is an old C.J. Anderson and parts are still available for it. For $4900 and change this could be yours.
Note that it would be ideal for any residential elevator. Passenger elevators for public use would not allow the unit because it doesn’t comply with the new elevator codes.
May 1st, 2009
Elevator Shaft Design & Construction Book – 1912
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon this but Google has been busy with there online book archives. I found this treasure which dates back to 1912. This is one of the very reasons why the internet is such a useful tool. There are days that I consider myself some what of an elevator explorer. I look forward to bringing you more treasures in the future.
Not too many photographs but some very interesting information about how typical elevators were designed in the early 1900’s.
The link to the actual Google link can be found here Enjoy everyone!
Welcome Antique Elevator Aficionado!
May 1st, 2009. Posted in Articles
This blog is dedicated to those of us who have a real appreciation for elevators. Not just any elevator but ones that bring a bit of yesterday with each vertical trip. You might call them antique, classic or turn of the century designed, we just call them cool!
Elevator and their operators where the life blood when buildings started to be built upward. They gave buildings character and warmth with a friendly, “What Floor Please” when you entered. They also usually acted as a security guard, knowing when offices were closed, tenants were on vacation and when visitors shouldn’t be on a certain floor.
This blog is made up of contributors who truly appreciate older elevators. If you are interested in becoming a contributor to this site please drop us a line at elevatorpreservation@gmail.com , we’d love to have you. If you see a photograph that you believe is copyrighted please let us know. All photographs and links are for non commercial purposes. It is not our intention to infringe on anyones copyright.
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