Adding an Elevator to an Existing Building: Interior Shaft or External Tower?

Can an elevator be added to an old building?

Adding an elevator to an existing building is often discussed when stairs have become a daily barrier. Older residents, people with limited mobility, families with children and residents carrying shopping or luggage all feel the difference. In many older apartment blocks in Bursa, the original design did not include an elevator, but today's expectations around accessibility and comfort are different.

The question is not only whether a cabin can physically fit somewhere. A new elevator becomes a permanent mechanical system attached to an existing building. The structure, stairwell, landings, facade, ground, electrical supply, project requirements and municipal process all need to be reviewed together. Since the system will carry people every day, safety and maintainability must guide the decision from the beginning.

Some buildings can use an interior void, stairwell opening or common area. Others need an external steel tower on the facade. The correct first step is an on-site survey under an elevator installation scope. A survey gives the building management real technical options instead of guesswork.

Interior space or external elevator tower?

An interior solution may be possible if the stairwell, light well or common area provides enough space for a shaft and safe landing access. This can create a more natural connection to existing floor landings and may have less impact on the exterior appearance. However, stair width, escape routes, structural elements, utilities and landing geometry must be checked carefully.

An external elevator uses a tower built outside the building, often with a steel structure connected to the facade. This is a strong option for buildings where the interior has no usable shaft space. External systems require careful attention to foundation conditions, facade connections, weather exposure, door positions, entrance levels and user safety at each landing.

Neither option should be judged only by appearance. The user must be able to enter and exit safely, the cabin must stop level with the landing, doors must work reliably, and service technicians must be able to maintain the system over time. For that reason, architecture, mechanical design and electrical preparation should be evaluated as one system.

How should the condominium decision be handled?

Adding an elevator affects shared building areas and common expenses. In Turkey, this means the decision process should be handled carefully under the building management plan and the Condominium Ownership Law (Kat Mülkiyeti Kanunu). The required procedure can depend on the building's documents and the exact effect of the work, so management should avoid casual assumptions and seek legal guidance when needed.

The elevator company does not replace legal advice, but it can prepare the technical file that owners need before voting or discussing the project. Where will the elevator be placed? How many stops will it serve? What will change on the facade? How will the entrance be reached? What maintenance obligation continues after installation? These questions should be answered before the meeting.

When accessibility is the main reason, the discussion should not be reduced to cost alone. A well-planned elevator can make upper floors usable again for residents who struggle with stairs. Clear records, drawings and technical explanations help the manager keep the process calm and transparent.

Why project and municipal steps matter

An elevator added to an existing building is project work. Architectural compatibility, structural review, electrical supply, fire and access considerations may all be involved. Depending on the building and location, municipal or authorized approval steps may also apply. These details vary by project, so it would be risky to promise a simple universal process.

A common mistake is to choose a cabin style and discuss price before understanding the project constraints. In reality, project conditions can affect tower dimensions, landing doors, access routes, construction preparation and the overall schedule. Management should bring the project side into the discussion early, after the site survey.

For a broader view of safety and regulatory thinking, you can also read our elevator regulation guide. The placing-on-the-market and conformity-assessment side of the new installation should also be considered under the Elevator Regulation (2014/33/EU) (Asansör Yönetmeliği); the goal is to make the new system compliant, serviceable and safe from the first day of operation.

What determines the cost?

There is no reliable single price list for adding an elevator to an existing building. Two buildings that look similar from the street may have different stair geometry, facade conditions, ground preparation needs and landing details. Main factors include number of stops, travel height, cabin size, external tower requirement, steel structure scope, door type, electrical preparation, project work and installation access.

External elevators often include tower structure, facade connections and weather protection. Interior solutions may require changes around stairs, landings or common areas. Ground preparation, entrance ramping, enclosure choice and aesthetic expectations can also change the scope.

Management should be careful with offers that look simple but exclude important items. Project coordination, electrical work, landing connections, testing, handover documentation, maintenance start-up and warranty terms should be clear. Since an elevator carries people, choosing only by the lowest initial offer is not a sound safety decision.

How does the process usually move forward?

A healthy process normally starts with a site survey, then moves to feasibility options, owner decision-making, project and approval preparation, production, installation, testing and handover. This order helps the building understand what is being decided at each stage.

During the survey, the team measures the building and compares interior and exterior alternatives. In the feasibility step, the most practical solution is chosen. The technical scope is then presented to condominium owners (kat malikleri). After project requirements are clarified, production and installation can be planned. Once installed, the elevator should enter a routine maintenance and service arrangement.

Oluşum Asansör supports building managers in Bursa with external elevator surveys, interior placement options, installation planning and after-sales maintenance. If you want to understand whether your building can safely receive a new elevator, contact us. We can inspect the site and define a practical route forward.