At Expert Service Solutions, we value our clients of all types, sizes and from all different industries. While we have no favorites, we can’t help but admire the mechanical intricacy and know-how that goes into the creation and maintenance of elevators. Since we’re such big fans, we decided to put together a list of our favorite elevators from around the world that we find really impressive and sure to give your day a little lift!
1.World’s Tallest Elevator: Mponeng Gold Mine, South Africa
The world’s tallest elevator can be found at the Anglogold Ashanti’s Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa. This elevator is a remarkable 7490 feet! First constructed in 1986, it takes just three minutes to travel down this immense elevator. For miners who need to travel to the depths of the Earth, there is a second elevator that takes workers down another 11,800 ft lower. This elevator is also impressive in size, carrying up to 120 workers at a time!
2. Super fast elevator in world’s tallest structure: Burji Khalifa, Dubai
Burji Khalifa has been breaking records since it was built in 2009. Home to thousands of residential and commercial properties including the Dubai Mall, the Burji Khalifa is the world’s tallest freestanding structure at 8930 feet. This towering beauty is no stranger to the limelight, having been the backdrop for pulse-pounding Hollywood hits such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Independence Day: Resurgence. Burji Khalifa’s elevator holds the world record for the world’s highest elevator installation and is the world’s third fastest elevator. Travelling at 36 km/hr, this double-decker elevator is high on style and speed!
3. Scariest elevator: Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand
This elevator is not for the faint for the heart or for those who have a fear of heights! Sky Tower located in Auckland, New Zealand is 1076 feet tall and is an iconic part of Auckland’s skyline. Each of the four elevator cars takes you up to the observation at 610 feet and has a glass bottom so you have a view straight to ground as you travel further and further into the air. With glass walls and glass floors, you’ll feel like a bird in the sky! Once you get to the top, if your heart isn’t pounding yet, take a turn at the SkyJump, where you can jump 630 feet from the observation deck!
4. World’s highest outdoor elevator: Bailong Elevator, China
This is another one that’s not for anyone with acrophobia. This glass elevator is installed on the side of a huge cliff in Wulingyuam, China. Standing 1070 feet tall, this glass elevator offers amazing views and is the world’s highest and heaviest outdoor elevator. Opened in 2002, there was some controversy surrounding this elevator due to some safety concerns and it being built on a heritage site. If you want to take a ride up this elevator today, have no worries, it’s perfectly safe!
5. An elevator for the fishes: the AquaDom, Berlin
While this elevator is “small” compared to the others we’ve listed, we love the AquaDom elevator because it’s so unique. At 82 feet high, the AquaDom is a cylindrical acrylic glass aquarium and holds 1 million liters of water and is home to 1500 fishes, spanning 50 species. The glass elevator runs throughout the middle of the cylinder and offers 360° views of the aquarium as you travel up and down the lift. The AquaDom and its transparent elevator is one of the major attractions at the Berlin Sea Life Centre and is not to be missed if you’re in Berlin!
6. North America’s Oldest Birdcage Elevator, Maritime Museum Birdcage Elevator, Victoria
Located in Victoria, British Columbia, this birdcage elevator in the Maritime Museum is the oldest, built in 1899. The museum was once part of the Provincial Law Courts and the elevator was designed by the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of BC, Theodore Davie. While it was finished posthumously, we chose this elevator because we love the intricate grillwork and its lavish and elegant gold exterior. Even though it was built over a century ago, we’re told the ride is a pretty smooth one! If you’re on the West Coast and looking to admire a great Canadian elevator, make sure you check out this next-level piece of art.
7. A uniquely shaped elevator: The Gateway Arch, St Louis
This landmark in St Louis Missouri is the world’s tallest arch and is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere at 630 feet. Made of stainless steel, this arch is “dedicated to the American people” and since opening its doors in 1965, has become a popular tourist destination. To travel to the top of the arch, you’ll need to take a 372 feet elevator ride that is both breath-taking and exhilarating!
There were so many elevators to choose from, it was hard to choose just seven. These are our favorite elevators, what are yours?!
