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New York Landmark Accessibility Lift

Key Takeaways

  • Hidden lifts provide an ideal accessibility solution for New York landmark buildings and protected structures where space, aesthetics and heritage limitations prevent traditional installations.

  • A minimal footprint allows Sesame Access lifts to fit narrow SoHo storefronts, brownstone entrances and cast-iron building stairways with virtually no visible impact.

  • Sesame’s UK-engineered designs aim to meet U.S. ASME A18.1 requirements and are installed in the United States with partner lift companies trained for local servicing and first response.

  • For landmark approvals, hidden lifts are often the only fully compliant option that avoids changes to historic façades or the removal of original staircases.

  • Early collaboration with architects, preservation bodies and local AHJs ensures seamless approvals and successful installations in New York’s most challenging heritage sites.

Introduction

Designing an accessible entrance for a New York landmark building can feel impossible. Many structures in SoHo, Lower Manhattan, Midtown and Brooklyn’s historic districts feature tight entryways, pre-war staircases, diamond-plate steel steps and architectural details that cannot be altered. Traditional elevators and ramps rarely fit or are rejected by preservation authorities.

Hidden platform lifts offer a people-first solution that preserves a building’s character while delivering fully compliant accessibility. This article explains why hidden lifts are ideal for landmark buildings, how they navigate New York’s regulatory environment and how Sesame Access supports architects working in space-constrained heritage settings.

Why Traditional Lifts Do Not Work in New York Landmark Buildings

Space constraints in Manhattan entrances

Many Manhattan buildings have extremely limited space: narrow storefront thresholds, tight staircases and shallow landing depths. A traditional elevator typically requires a full shaft, pit depth, machine space and structural changes that are not possible in cast-iron buildings or historic brownstones.

Hidden platform lifts, however, can be installed within a minimal footprint. They work with the building rather than against it and often require no external visible structure.

Aesthetic and preservation requirements

Landmark authorities in New York frequently reject solutions that alter the façade, remove original materials or introduce visible structures.

Hidden lifts avoid these issues. They can be concealed within stairs or behind finishes, allowing architects to retain the building’s historic appearance while meeting accessibility standards.

Regulatory and code compliance

To serve as an ADA-compliant accessible route, platform lifts must meet ASME A18.1 requirements. This applies across New York’s public buildings, retail units, galleries, historic sites and private properties in landmark districts.

You can read more about U.S. compliance on our technical page:
https://www.sesameaccess.com/technical/usa

Sesame’s lifts are engineered in the UK to comply as close as possible with ASME A18.1 and installed in partnership with qualified U.S. lift companies.

How Sesame Access Delivers Hidden Lifts for Landmark Projects

UK design and U.S. installation model

Sesame Access designs and manufactures all lifts in the United Kingdom. Each unit is engineered specifically for the building after a detailed review of drawings, site measurements and Teams design meetings.

Once shipped to the United States, Sesame works with trusted local lift companies who:

  • support the installation

  • provide local first-response maintenance

  • carry out ongoing servicing

This model gives architects confidence that their project benefits from UK engineering precision and reliable U.S. support.

Learn more about our educational partnerships and U.S. engagement here:
https://www.sesameaccess.com/about/articles/sesame-access-hosted-samford-university-usa-undergraduates

Minimal footprint for narrow Manhattan spaces

Hidden lifts are particularly effective for:

  • SoHo cast-iron buildings

  • Pre-war Manhattan structures

  • Brownstone stoops

  • Narrow glass storefronts

  • Stepped entrances with diamond-plate steel

  • Buildings where the entrance must remain unchanged

Their compact design often makes them the only practical option.

Invisible installation for heritage protection

A hidden lift can be designed so that:

  • stair treads close over the lift when not in use

  • doors and panels are flush with existing finishes

  • no external lift components are visible

This preserves the architectural integrity of landmark buildings.

Sesame Products Suitable for Landmark Buildings

Below are three hidden lift solutions that often suit New York heritage properties. These links will be clickable on your website:

Each solution is fully bespoke, allowing the system to be shaped around tight site constraints or specific landmark requirements.

Typical Applications in New York Landmark Projects

Hidden lifts are commonly used in:

  • Narrow SoHo storefronts where the entrance sits 3–4 ft above sidewalk level

  • Pre-war buildings with limited internal space

  • Brownstones requiring access from street level to the main entrance

  • Cast-iron buildings with steep diamond-plate exterior stairs

  • Protected structures where visible accessibility products would be rejected

  • Retail units requiring accessibility without altering architectural glazing

These represent common scenarios where traditional elevators are unfeasible and where hidden lifts become the preferred solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can a hidden lift be installed under diamond-plate steel stairs?
Yes. Sesame lifts are often installed under metal stairs, cast-iron treads and steel plate landings in Manhattan buildings.

What does a typical hidden lift cost for a landmark building?
Costs vary depending on travel height, constraints and customisation. Most architects request a Teams call to review drawings for an accurate estimate.

How long does the process take from design to installation?
Design, engineering and manufacture take place in the UK. Shipping and site installation timing depend on site readiness and local lift-company coordination. A full timeline can be provided during a consultation.

Do hidden lifts meet ADA and ASME A18.1 requirements?
Our products are designed for the UK and EU market, to BS 6440:2011. When installing tin the states our products can be either accepted by the local Authority having jurisdiction, or they can adapted to meet their needs. A detailed answer to this question can be found here https://www.sesameaccess.com/technical/usa

Will the landmarks commission approve a hidden lift?
Hidden lifts are regularly approved because they have minimal visual impact and preserve the character of the building.

Can the lift be serviced locally in New York?
Yes. Sesame partners with qualified U.S. lift companies who are trained to support servicing and callouts.

Call-to-Action

If you’re exploring accessibility upgrades for a landmark building, you can book a Teams meeting with one of our Project Managers here:
https://www.sesameaccess.com/book-a-meeting