110-Year-Old Reliance Birdcage Elevator in Chicago, IL.

It’s about time I got a retake of this elevator. Since I first filmed it, I’ve learned some things about it. One, this elevator used to be manually operated until about the 90’s. It was originally installed by Reliance, and uses the same controller, as it can be seen from the lobby, and you can just make out a Reliance data tag on the controller. Standard came along and converted the elevator to Automatic, adding a new COP (one that tastefully fits the old elevator) and simply adding on to the old controller to make it automatic. Let me tell you, this elevator runs exactly like it did the day it was installed. 350fpm may not seem like much by today’s standards, but when you have a 1913 relay controller bringing you straight to and from that speed, it really bounces you around! This elevator is an absolute treasure, and one hell of a testament to the quality of these old Reliance elevators. Kudos to Standard as well for such a tasteful modernization.
TECH SPECS:
Brand: Reliance
Modernized By: Standard
Model: N/A
Drive: Tandem-Gear Winding Drum
Year Installed: 1913
Year Modernized: ~1990s
Floors Served: 10
Capacity: 1000 lbs
Speed: 350 FPM
Doors: Manual Two Speed / Gate
FIXTURES:
Buttons: CJ Anderson HNS

[@suejoshappy]

Now this is something I’d like to see whenever I visit Chicago

[@DanT271]

That’s an awesome elevator and pretty fast for a two speed. Very nice.

[@rodney1279TheFlip]

I do not know what building this is but birdcage elevators are very rare in Chicago.

[@statecollegewx4060]

Nice

[@TheTheo58]

This is one dandy crown jewel 113 year old birdcage elevator, still in excellent condition and working like a fine precision machine. Is it a DC motor with a rectifier and leveling field in the controller? I noticed it slows on descending to level with the landing. Seems to work akin to micro-drive. While I did not get a good look at the winding drum machine, it must have a larger drum in diameter and length for the additional hoist ropes to wrap around to reach 10 floors. Preserve this elevator.

[@francoisruel2056]

Les sensation sont sa doit être magnifique en monté où en descente aux moment du départ de l ascenseur qui est assez rapide bonne soirée à toi

[@VintageCollections]

Donohue! I tried filming this back in July but the building was locked, any idea on their hours?

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

I know somebody at this building, that is also how I filmed the service/freight elevator here. Sadly it’s locked 24/7.

[@VintageCollections]

@@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty Ohhh I see. Also, when I went around back either the building next door or another part of this building I saw a second freight. Have you filmed that yet?

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

@@VintageCollections not yet but I would like to at some point.

[@VintageCollections]

@@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty Any clue what it even is? Looked fairly old to me.

[@SPS8elevatorsoflakecounty]

@@VintageCollections I got no clue, but I’m certain it’s a manual based on how old it is. I honestly really want to see it, because that section of the building is from the 1800s so I’m sure that elevator dates back to then as well.