Stannah injected present-day performance into an historic passenger lift whilst conserving its yesteryear veneer in the Grade II-listed Bristol Wing of YMCA.

The building was constructed in the 1930s and used to be Bristol Police HQ. Following their relocation, the building was transformed into the YMCA’s Bristol Wing, a quirky, 90-bed boutique hostel.

The original New York-style passenger lift was around 80 years old and operated within a traditional cage structure rising through the central stairwell of the building to serve five floors.

Always the building’s showpiece, the lift was in dire need of a major cosmetic, mechanical and electrical upgrade to match today’s demands in style, comfort, performance and safety - yet it had to retain its historic aesthetic.

The passenger lift underwent an exhaustive overhaul, from motor room, shaft and pit through to car doors and interior, together with all associated mechanics – to emerge transformed yet still its recognisable, characterful former self.

Stannah removed and replaced the original workings with a high-tech system designed to deliver fast, efficient, dependable service that protects the lift users.

As with all Stannah lift products, the refurbished passenger lift meets all required legislation in design, manufacture and performance.

All Stannah lift products are designed and manufactured to be energy efficient and cost-effective to run. In this case, the traction-drive passenger lift combines yesteryear looks with today’s energy efficient guidelines – in keeping with The Bristol Wing’s ethos of sustainable construction that includes, but is not limited to, solar panels, high levels of insulation and double-glazed windows.