Yan Hong Mansion – Modernizing Mongkok
Mongkok is one of Hong Kong's most energetic and densely packed neighborhoods – described as the busiest district in the world by the Guinness World Records. Modernizing a residential elevator here posed some unique challenges, but our team delivered on all fronts.
There’s barely room to squeeze between the delivery vans and minibuses lining Fa Yuen Street, round the corner from the Ladies Market, a popular tourist attraction in the center of Mongkok. Taxis whiz past on the road, commuters and tourists thread their way past buildings where shops and restaurants occupy the ground floor, with commercial and residential units stacked above.
One of these buildings is Yan Hong Mansion, an eight-floor building constructed in 1970. For over 50 years, Yan Hong Mansion had the same elevator. So, it came as no surprise when the building committee decided to modernize it. But it was still no easy task.
With only one elevator for the entire building, it’s an incredibly important means of transportation, especially for some of the elderly tenants living on the higher floors. "We initially tried to contact the original supplier, but they didn’t reply to us," says Jimmy Wong, the Committee Chairman. "We chose Schindler because of their global reputation, and trusted that they would look after us."
The modernization project benefited from the Lift Modernization Subsidy Scheme (LIMSS), a government subsidy program designed to help upgrade aging elevators in private residential and mixed commercial and residential buildings.
A tight squeeze
Given the age of the original elevator, our team decided to remove all the old machinery and install a brand-new advanced, compact gearless machine, along with a new controller, ropes, doors, and interiors.
With shops occupying street level, the elevator in Yan Hong Mansion starts from the floor above – and there’s only one entrance to the building’s upper floors. This meant that every bit of machinery had to go in and out through a narrow stairwell.
"It was a bit of a tight squeeze, but our team managed it very well," says Alex Lee, Modernization Fulfillment Director. "The new elevator was taken in piece by piece, and the old one was dismantled and taken out the same way. It’s such a busy part of town, so our deliveries had to be well planned and coordinated."
Once all the new machinery was inside the building, there wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver. "Our installers took it all in their stride though," says Alex. "This is where expertise and experience really make a difference."
Improvements all round
With the new elevator now up and running, the building’s owners and tenants have all seen real improvements – across safety, energy efficiency, and functionality.
"We had to limit the number of people using our old elevator," explains Jimmy. Only three people could ride it at a time, so it was common for people to have to wait their turn. "It can take up to seven people now. Every aspect of the new elevator is safer than before, and it’s also a smoother and quieter ride."
Electricity bills have also been noticeably lower. The elevator is more efficient, and as it can carry more people, it doesn’t have to make as many trips when things get busy.
The elevator can also now be used between floors. The old elevator would only allow you to go to the ground floor. So, if you lived on the fourth floor and wanted to visit a friend on the eighth floor, you’d have to travel to the bottom and back up. Now you can go directly.
"It sounds like a small thing, but this improved functionality, along with the other improvements, have really given the building a new lease of life," says Jimmy.