Filmed June 2019.
Anyone remember, or in fact, recognize these?
Yup, these are the High Rise Otis elevators that had the Innovation Decorator Mod done to them by Murphy Elevator that Dieselducy filmed back in 2012. That mod was most likely done in the 90s and was done by Murphy Elevator, and they replaced the controller likely with MCE, as well as the fixtures with Innovation Decorator, but the Old Cabs, Lanterns, Doors and Original Otis Motors remained intact and as some people probably do know, but in case they don't, just a year or two later after Andrew's video showing off the first mod, these elevators were modded a second time, also by Murphy, but all that was done were the COP fixtures were replaced likely with some sort of Adam's VR if I had to guess, and the cabs got updated a bit with new wallpaper and carpet, but the controllers, Decorator Call Stations, Original Otis motors and everything else remained exactly the same from the first mod aside from the new COP. You'd think that being they JUST modded these a SECOND TIME ONLY 6 YEARS AGO AT MOST that these would stay as they currently are/were for many more years, right!?!?!
WRONG!!! And that's where my story here starts. Fast forward to 2019, 5-6 years after the 2nd Mod happened, I come to this hotel, to find these elevators are being modded the THIRD TIME, by Murphy, YET AGAIN!!!! And this time, they are getting their motors replaced with New Hollister Whitney/Imperial Electric Motors, Newer MCE Controllers, New Doors, New Doortracks, New Guiderails, New Cabs, and are basically being 99% TOTALLY GUTTED/RIPPED OUT & REPLACED just 5-6 YEARS after getting a new slap on mod!!!! Which needless to say, is rather insane, especially since the existing equipment is in perfect working condition.
That all being said though, Murphy is doing a phenomenal job with the New Modernization, they sped these elevators up from 500 FPM to 700 FPM (according to this video • Murphy Elevator Compan... ), and the speed difference shows when compared to the old ones, and the new elevators are also a LOT smoother, quieter, and look a LOT more upscale and fitting in a Upscale Hotel that is undergoing a MASSIVE $120 Million Dollar like this as opposed to the Old Elevators, which have a rather dated appearance. Plus, the New COPs and inner doors and panelling looks MUCH Nicer as opposed to the worn door and COP paneling on the existing elevators, and while I'm not a fan of Innovation, I do LOVE the look of the New Bright White LEDs on the New Bruiser COPs!!! Plus, the chimes are nicer and quieter and not annoying in any way.
However, while the New Elevators are indeed far superior in speed and ride quality, and are still excellent quality being the new motors they have are handcrafted and made the same way they were in the 30s, the Old Elevators were doing just fine and still went fast enough, they still had fairly nice, although somewhat dated cab interiors, had VERY UNIQUE VR Fixtures on a Brass COP with the Galt House logo, which I've NEVER seen anything like it before, and the existing elevators from the previous mod still have some Old Otis features, such as the BEAUTIFUL Mechanical Bells, Old Doors, Door Jams, and DC Traction Motors with the Very Fun, albeit a tad bumpy Ride Quality of an Old Otis!!!! Plus, the existing COPs and cab carpet isn't even that Old, making the idea of TOTALLY replacing them sound pointless and silly.
Overall, it's hard to say which is better, the Newly Replaced and Ultra Fast Efficient 2019 Murphy Elevators, or the existing elevator still featuring it's controller and cab from the 2nd mod, fixtures and flooring from 3rd mod, and motors, doors and bells original from installation. I like them both a lot for different reasons, but I'll let you be the judge of which is better. What we can all agree on though, is this place does sure seem to love wasting money on mods though, LOL. Hopefully these won't get a 4th mod anytime soon, since the New 2019 Murphy replacement is excellent, and these have now already been modded too much!!!
For those interested, here is a video of these elevators from their first mod with Decorator: • Otis/Murphy Traction e...
That all being said, enjoy the video!
Installed: 1972 (Otis Touch Sensitive or Lexan)
Modernized:
1st Modernization: Circa 1990s (Murphy with Innovation Decorator Fixtures & Call Stations, New Indicators, New Controllers and Cabs. Doors, Lanterns and Motors remained as is)
2nd Modernization: 2013-2014 (Murphy with New, Unique ADAMS? VR COP and Indicator Replacement, New Cab Wallpaper and Carpet. Decorator Call Stations, Doors, Motors, Controllers and Lanterns remained as is)
3rd Modernization/Replacement Elevator Installation: 2019 (Murphy with New Cabs, New Doors, New Motors, New Controllers, New Shaft Equipment, New Innovation Bruiser Fixtures, Guiderails, Lanterns, and basically EVERYTHING BUT the Shafts are being replaced. Nothing is left of the previous elevators)