Palaceside Building has begun construction to install (replace) the escalators that rise from the subway-connected second basement to the first basement. Completion is scheduled for December 24. During the work the escalators will be stopped and the adjacent stairs will also be narrowed. We apologize for the inconvenience to those passing through, and ask for your understanding.
The previous escalators were installed 25 years ago — the second generation in the 50 years since the building opened in 1966. They had grown old, and this project replaces them with new equipment.
The work falls into two stages: removing the current equipment and installing the new. On the evening of September 29, after business hours, crews began enclosing the entire escalator, and by the morning commute on October 2 the enclosure reached nearly to the atrium ceiling, as many of you will have seen.
Construction hoarding also juts about a third of the way onto the stairs beside the escalators, making walking more difficult (photo at right). Please take extra care to avoid injury.
From mid- to late October the existing equipment will be removed. Preparing for the new units will take nearly a month; from mid-November the new equipment will be brought in and installed, adjustments made so it runs properly, and the surroundings finished cleanly — that is the plan.
Incidentally, the escalators will be lowered in from below after temporarily opening the ceiling of the parking garage directly underneath — a major operation. After the work, that ceiling will be rebuilt as well.
For the nearly three months until completion, we ask for your cooperation with the construction.