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Probably not very many, and even then we're talking pre-war (WWI and perhaps WWII). Most anything built by the 1950's and certainly in or after the 1960's has automatic elevators, at least for passengers. Service elevators maybe "automatic" but require a key to unlock/operate. I'd say less than fifty in Manhattan or even the whole of the City.
Quite a big chunk of the cities buildings are from before 1950, though. My uncle lives in a building built in the 20s IIRC however it was renovated and I'm pretty sure the elevator is automatic.
Quite a big chunk of the cities buildings are from before 1950, though. My uncle lives in a building built in the 20s IIRC however it was renovated and I'm pretty sure the elevator is automatic.
IIRC automatic elevators have been around since the 1920's if not before. NYC changed the laws in 1920 to allow automatic elevators in residential buildings. IIRC a large number of co-ops and other apartment buildings went up in the 1920's and 1930's, but some were built before. Am guessing those that were already up and had manually operated elevators either remained that way or changed. New buildings of course had the option of going either way.
All this being said then and now it only takes a turn of a key to turn automatic elevators into manually operated. IIRC this is what happens with the FDNY when there is some sort of event in a building.
How's this for a twist.... I'm not white! Dun dun dunnnnn...
Anyway, the buiding in question is in 106/Bway area. Like I said, this is not my primary residence but I stay here 1-2 weeks a month and it was just something I was curious about. Horribly inefficient, invasion of privacy, upset and pissy employees (I don't blame them, can you imagine what kind of weird, sick purgatory being an elevator operator would be?). It's just annoying and they act as though you are making their life difficult and it awkward.
How's this for a twist.... I'm not white! Dun dun dunnnnn...
Anyway, the buiding in question is in 106/Bway area. Like I said, this is not my primary residence but I stay here 1-2 weeks a month and it was just something I was curious about. Horribly inefficient, invasion of privacy, upset and pissy employees (I don't blame them, can you imagine what kind of weird, sick purgatory being an elevator operator would be?). It's just annoying and they act as though you are making their life difficult and it awkward.
Answer to your query is contained in OP. The staff is stretched thin and obviously aren't afraid to let their discomfort be known.
Very few buildings commercial or residential employ persons solely to operate elevators I should think. Of the two the former makes more sense given potentially large crowds.
Since you aren't a full time resident/tenant there probably isn't much you can do about the poor attitude besides mention it to whomever owns/rents the apartment you are using. A lot of persons just say nothing but then again come the holidays give little or no tips.
I had a combo in the West Village. Elevator had one of those manual steel gates in addition to the electric ones. To call for the elevator there was a button that rang in the Super's apartment. He or his wife jumped into the elevator and rode down to get me.
That operated until 10PM and after that it was a climb up the stairs...6 flights for me. Not fun when crawling home from the bars at 4 AM.
I had a combo in the West Village. Elevator had one of those manual steel gates in addition to the electric ones. To call for the elevator there was a button that rang in the Super's apartment. He or his wife jumped into the elevator and rode down to get me.
That operated until 10PM and after that it was a climb up the stairs...6 flights for me. Not fun when crawling home from the bars at 4 AM.
Was there a buzzer for the elevator on every floor, or just the first floor?
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"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
I frequently have to stay in a building with them and find them frustrating and more invasive than doormen. Just curious why some buildings still have elevator operators instead of just getting a regular elevator? The elevator looks to be mostly like a modern elevator except for a lever they have to pull. For this building in particular they have the same guy acting as doorman AND elevator operator and he's stretched too thin to be good at either job. They're often in pissy, frustrated moods having to go up and down, up and down, deal with impatient tenants, etc. Just seems like a bad deal all around, both for tenants and doormen.
Why do some buildings insist on keeping this setup? Cheap? Nostalgic? It's annoying.
they're creepy. and i don't like doormen either. they must be so bored all day, i bet they gossip about everything and know half of your life.
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