The four-story townhouse has reshaped Seattle’s neighborhoods. Garage and entry at the bottom, living room and kitchen above, bedrooms above that, and a roof deck on top. It fits a lot of home onto a small piece of land. It also puts forty or fifty steps between the front door and the view.
Who is asking for elevators
- Owners who bought in their forties and want to stay into their seventies
- People with a knee or hip problem
- Families with a parent moving in
- Anyone tired of carrying groceries up two flights
Was your townhouse built for one?
Some newer townhouses have a stack of closets sized for a future elevator. Look for a closet in the same position on every floor, or check the original plans. If you have one, an elevator is a relatively simple project.
If not
A pneumatic elevator is often the answer. Its round tube takes up little floor area and needs no pit or machine room. Possible locations:
- The well of a switchback staircase
- A corner that repeats on each level
- Space taken from the garage and the rooms above it
What has to be checked
- A clear vertical path through every floor
- Structure, since townhouse framing is tightly engineered
- Fire separation requirements between floors and from neighbors
- Homeowners association rules, if any
- City permits
Reaching the roof deck
Extending an elevator to the roof involves a structure above the roofline and may not be permitted. Most elevators stop at the top interior floor.
Alternatives
- A stair lift on each flight, for someone who can transfer between them
- A dumbwaiter, if carrying is the main issue
Value
In a market full of similar townhouses, one with an elevator stands out to buyers thinking long term.
Find out what is possible
Nationwide Lifts of Washington will survey your townhouse. Call (425) 495-6910 for a free in-home consultation.