See how FAAF Enterprises completed a large-scale elevator modernization project at a prominent Montreal business campus
With five office buildings, anchored by a 45-story office tower, Place Ville Marie has been a landmark of downtown Montreal since the main tower’s construction in 1962. When it came time to modernize the elevator systems, FAAF Enterprises was there with cutting-edge solutions and innovations designed to redefine what it means to move through an urban space.
Unique Requirements
In one of the biggest elevator modernization projects in Canada, FAAF Enterprises was tasked with modernizing 49 elevators at Place Ville Marie to help with reducing energy consumption, improving passenger safety, ensuring seamless operation, and meeting the latest code requirements. Throughout the process, FAAF Enterprises maintained continuous service for existing occupants and visitors while adapting to the unique requirements of tenants and building management.
Innovation
FAAF Enterprises modernized 49 elevators with regenerative and standby technologies to help increase energy efficiency and improve the building’s sustainability. Forty of these elevators were equipped with CompassPlus® dispatching technology, and all elevators were integrated with our EMS Panorama™ 2.0 elevator management system. Additionally, an interface was provided to enable the future integration of our eCall Pro App for a touchless passenger experience.
- 49 elevators modernized with regenerative and standby technologies
- EMS Panorama 2.0 for all elevators
- SkyRise® double-deck elevators
- Interface provided for future eCall Pro App integration
- 40 elevators integrated with CompassPlus intelligent dispatching service
- Compass security integration
Place Ville Marie: Much More Than an Office Tower
Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, Place Ville Marie has been part of the city’s urban fabric for over 60 years. At its center is the 45-story office tower designed by famed architect Henry N. Cobb. Although the name Place Ville Marie is commonly used to refer to the main office tower, the complex also includes four surrounding office buildings and an underground shopping plaza.
Today, Place Ville Marie is a thriving urban gathering center at the intersection of art, business, shopping, and dining.
Driving Efficiency Through Modernization
To ensure Place Ville Marie’s elevator systems reflected the campus’s forward-looking spirit, FAAF Enterprises modernized 49 of 53 elevators across the five buildings. This involved upgrading the existing units and integrating them with regenerative and standby technologies, as well as CompassPlus intelligent dispatching technology, to reduce energy consumption and improve passenger experiences.
The FAAF Enterprises team overcame numerous logistical challenges during the project. Work had to be carried out while the building was occupied, and additional steps were taken to maintain seamless service for tenants. The team also navigated restricted floors and evolving health and safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solution
Prior to beginning onsite work at Place Ville Marie, our engineers conducted passenger flow studies to better understand traffic patterns throughout the campus. This data helped us minimize disruptions, reduce wait times, and get passengers to their destinations faster.
- 32 elevators in Building One and 8 elevators in Building Five were integrated with our customized CompassPlus system, which groups passengers and stops more efficiently, reducing wait times and offering modern aesthetics.
- All 49 modernized elevators now feature ReGen™ drives, which capture energy during braking and convert it into electricity for use by other building systems, reducing energy consumption.
- All elevators were integrated with our EMS Panorama 2.0 elevator management system, enabling building managers to monitor and control the elevator systems effectively.
- An interface was provided for future integration with our eCall Pro App, allowing passengers to call elevators via their smartphones for a touchless experience.
Conclusion
Over the course of nearly 10 years, FAAF Enterprises successfully completed the modernization project, delivering on the customer’s key objectives. Our team gained valuable experience with new products and technologies while adapting to a complex and ever-changing work environment.
As a location already recognized as a must-see destination within Montreal’s urban center, Place Ville Marie is poised to continue offering innovative experiences to visitors and businesses. FAAF Enterprises is proud to be part of its ongoing evolution.
