Otis in La Défense, Paris

Double-Deck Elevators for Alto Tower

Otis’ first SkyRise® double-deck elevators in France are part of a vertical-transportation (VT) system serving the new 150-m-tall Alto Tower, a 38-story office tower developed by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and La Défense Public Development Agency in the La Défense business district (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2018). Designed by IF Architects, the structure has a small footprint at ground level that expands outward as it climbs. This, according to Otis France High-Rise Operation Manager Fabienne Blot, “presented a unique opportunity to showcase our SkyRise double-deck technology, effectively meeting the building’s needs while maximizing leasable space.” Otis observes its double-deck technology reduces elevator core space by up to 40%. Upon entering the building, passengers log their destinations using CompassPlus, which assigns them to the proper cabs. To access an upper-deck elevator cab, passengers ride one of two Otis escalators.

In total, Alto Tower’s VT system has 10 SkyRise elevators, including eight double-deck and two heavy-duty units; two Gen2® elevators; and two escalators. Equipped with Otis’ EMS PanoramaTM elevator-management system, the SkyRise elevators “are in a unique configuration with the double decks grouped in a single bank, providing point-to-point travel and eliminating the need for a transfer floor,” Otis observes. The OEM will also maintain the tower’s VT equipment.

France’s Future Tallest Tower The Link to Have Otis Equipment

At 228 m the future tallest building in France, The Link in the La Défense business district just west of Paris will be outfitted with 60 elevators and “several” escalators by Otis, Otis CEO Judy Marks said during a third-quarter 2020 earnings call. The project will also include CompassPlus destination-dispatch, eCall touchless and OptiSenseTM traffic-management technology, she said. Developed by Paris La Défense and designed by Philippe Chiambaretta Architecte (PCA), The Link will consist of 50- and 35-story towers “linked” on 30 levels by green walkways atop a common, three-level base. Aiming for the highest environmental certifications, it will serve as headquarters for energy giant Total and house 130,000 m2 of office, restaurant, coworking and amenity space. Delivery is anticipated in 2025.