LIVING VERTICALLY
The “Baby Boomers,” born during the post-World War II era, are now over 60. The 2000 Census indicated that this age group is the largest segment of our population. 28% of the people now living in the United States are 48 to 68 years old.
When this age distribution is viewed in contrast with current trends in housing starts, a major problem appears to be looming. By 2005 nearly 60% of new homes built in metropolitan statistical areas had two or more stories, and this percentage has continued to grow rapidly. Home design is more and more driven by property cost, not owner preference or accessibility. Many older people will require single level homes.
We have an aging population, a large percentage of which will find themselves trapped in homes that limit them to a single floor.
Even younger able-bodied people can relate to the convenience and luxury of an elevator in multi-story living, especially when lugging groceries up from the garage or linens up to the top floor bedrooms. Additionally, these young homeowners are also concerned about their aging parents, grandparents, or disabled friends and relatives that come to visit or live. One of the most common questions asked when selling a premium home is “what would it cost to add an elevator.”
Fuel costs are rising, people need close-in living, we are becoming a vertical living society. We need better and less expensive residential elevator solutions. Very few new homes are even designed to accommodate an elevator. This is because it is extremely difficult for the builder or homeowner to include an elevator in the budget when the cost is more than the whole kitchen and garage combined.
The needs of the mainstream homeowner are not being met by currently available residential elevators. Existing manufactures are providing products that are only suitable for premium builders and luxury home owners. There are no elevator systems available that address the price/performance needs of the “mainstream” residential customer.
The demographic forces necessary to drive real growth in the home elevator market are already here. However, cost effective elevator solutions are simply not available.
