Modular Elevators at the F1 Grand Prix, Las Vegas
Formula One had a deadline. InProduction, the leading U.S. provider of temporary seating, staging, and structures for events, had to build several high-end luxury viewing complexes to accommodate the race fans and sponsors. They realized to truly be high-end, they needed elevators to reach the VIP suites and ensure accessibility was no issue. And all of this needed to be able to be erected quickly on existing parking lots, then removed afterwards, leaving no trace, and be repeated in subsequent years.
In partnership with InProduction, Phoenix Modular Elevator (PME) designed, manufactured, and installed seven modular elevators for the F1 Grand Prix race in Las Vegas, Nevada. To minimize space, the design utilized machine roomless (MRL) hydraulic elevators, eliminating the need for separate machine rooms for each elevator. Instead, using the MRL design, the machine room equipment is built into the hoistway, and accessed via a small door on the side. Because this was an outdoor event, PME also manufactured and installed separate small shelter rooms for each elevator to cover this access door.
To avoid needing to modify the parking lot surface, InProduction designed above-ground steel pits that allow for quick installation and quicker take down.
The timeline was extremely tight, as there is no pushing out a race with a definite date, no matter what construction issues might occur. So it took plenty of detailed coordination. PME’s robust project management process assessed the needs, matched them with timelines, supplied the mechanics to make it happen, and kept InProduction informed of coordinating trade needs every step of the way. PME even stepped in to do some extra jobs when other trades were running a bit behind. It all culminated in a record seven elevator inspections in two days, something worthy of a Formula One event.
PME elevator technicians completed this take-down one week following the race completion and the elevators are in storage until needed next year.
According to InProduction Chief Operating Officer Mike Andrews, the company “very much enjoyed our experience with PME from start to finish.” He was impressed with our design team, and especially our hard-working elevator technicians who worked tirelessly to ensure the elevators contributed to the event’s success.
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