Hi everyone 😱 I have another great project to share with you!
This time, the main character is a resort hotel by the sea in the Philippines. We at BDFUJI were invited to build an outdoor panoramic elevator for them. The elevator starts in the garden area and goes all the way up to the viewing deck at the top of the hotel. From there, guests can see the swimming pool, the green plants, and the sea on the horizon.
From the first elevation sketches, to the steel elevator tower standing under the blue sky, and then each glass panel being put in place and the viewing deck opening to guests, this project has been very special for us. What makes us even happier is that we worked side by side with our local agent at every step. From the design plan and factory production, to delivery, installation, and testing, we stayed with them the whole way and finally saw this elevator become a big highlight of the resort. 💛
Project Overview
Location: Philippines
Project type: Outdoor panoramic elevator for a resort hotel
Equipment specs (this project configuration):
Rated load: 630 kg (about 8 people)
Drive type: Gearless permanent magnet traction, machine-room-less (MRL)
Rated speed: 1.0 m/s
Travel height: 12 m
Stops and doors: 2 stops, 2 doors
Car type: Three-side glass panoramic car
Hoistway structure: Outdoor steel structure shaft with tempered laminated glass enclosure
Next, we hand things over to our local agent partner in the Philippines, who worked side by side with us on this project. They will share, from their own point of view, how this panoramic elevator was built step by step.
Please First Introduce Yourselves
What do you do? What kinds of clients do you usually serve?
Local agent in the Philippines:
Hello, we are an elevator agency team based in the Philippines. For many years, we have provided elevator sales, installation, and after-sales service for hotels, apartments, and commercial buildings.
In this project, we worked together with BDFUJI to complete the full process for this resort hotel, from design plan and technical work, to equipment installation and trial run. We were responsible for site survey, talking with the owner about their needs, and managing the local construction work. BDFUJI provided the full panoramic elevator package and technical support.
Please Tell Us about This Hotel and the Viewing Deck – What Was It Like Before?
Local agent in the Philippines:
The hotel already had very good natural conditions. There is a garden, a swimming pool, tropical plants, and a high platform where you can look out at the sea.
The viewing deck was already there, but most guests did not choose to walk up the stairs on purpose. For guests with children, with luggage, or for older guests, the stairs were not easy to use. Because of this, the viewing deck space stayed empty most of the time.
“The view here is so good. We hope more guests can reach the deck easily, and we also hope the way they go up can feel a bit exciting and special.”
So it felt very natural for everyone to think of the same idea: add a panoramic elevator outdoors and truly connect the garden and the viewing deck as one space.
What Are the Customer’s Requirements for the Elevator?
Local agent in the Philippines:
The owner’s request was very simple:
“We want guests to reach the viewing deck more easily, and it would be great if the experience can feel a little special.”
During the site survey, we discussed several ideas together with the owner. One idea was to install only a normal elevator. Another idea was to try to find a route inside the building. A third idea was to build a separate elevator tower outdoors to connect the garden and the viewing deck.
In the end, everyone agreed that an outdoor glass panoramic elevator was the best choice. It makes going up and down easy, and it also turns “reaching the deck” into a small and enjoyable experience. That is how we decided on the outdoor panoramic elevator plan we have now.
What Advice Would You Give to Hotel Owners
Local agent in the Philippines:
First, think clearly about what the guest’s journey to the deck should feel like. Do you only want guests to reach a certain height, or do you want them to start enjoying the view from the moment they leave the ground?
Second, decide the viewing deck level and the elevator stop level as early as possible. If the deck height, stair height, and floor finish thickness are clear at the start, you will not need to redo work later because of a 2–3 cm difference.
Third, bring the elevator supplier in early to see the site and the drawings together. The shaft position, tower size, and the way it connects to the building can all be improved at an early stage, which helps remove many hidden problems.
What Role Did BDFUJI Play in This Project?
“The BDFUJI elevator team gave us great support during the whole installation process. Their professional skills made everything very smooth, and this panoramic elevator has become a big highlight of our resort.”
Local agent in the Philippines:
BDFUJI helped us a lot in three main stages.
1. Design and technical stage
We worked together to confirm the position and height of the elevator tower in the overall hotel layout. We checked key data such as pit depth, tower height, and viewing deck level, so we did not need to make changes later because of a few centimeters. They also reminded us how to handle drainage, anti-corrosion, sun protection, and space for maintenance in an outdoor setting.
2. Structure and interface stage
They gave us suggestions on how to connect the tower to the main building and to the viewing deck. From the point of view of strength and safety, they gave us reference ideas for the steel structure of the shaft.
3. Installation and testing stage
They broke the installation process into clear steps: first the tower, then the guide rails, then the car, and finally the glass and decoration. Through drawings, photos, and remote support, they helped us decide how to adjust small size differences on site. Before the test run, they checked each safety device and operation detail with us one by one.
The owner later gave this comment on the cooperation:
“The BDFUJI elevator team gave us great support during the whole installation process. Their professional skills made everything very smooth, and the panoramic elevator has become a big highlight of our resort.”
For us as the manufacturer and for the local agent, this feedback is a strong form of support and trust.
Was the Transport and Installation Process Smooth?
What Were You Most Worried About?
Local agent in the Philippines:
At the beginning, we were most worried about sea transport and lifting on site. The equipment had to travel by sea, and the glass and decoration parts are quite delicate. The elevator tower is an outdoor steel structure, so lifting and assembly need high accuracy and high safety. The most important point is that the level between the elevator stop and the viewing deck must be very flat. Guests can feel a step under their feet right away.
To prepare for this, we worked closely with BDFUJI. Before shipping, the factory packed the equipment in modules according to the installation order. Tower parts, guide rails, car parts, and glass were shipped in separate boxes. Fragile parts and glass had extra protection and clear markings. In the technical documents, BDFUJI added special notes about how to build the joint at the viewing deck level.
During the actual installation, from the erection of the elevator tower to the trial operation of the elevator car, and then to the first batch of passengers taking the elevator to the platform, everything went more smoothly than expected. At that moment, everyone felt very proud.
If Possible, Can You Roughly Say Where Most of The Budget Was Spent?
Local agent in the Philippines:
We can roughly divide the budget into three parts.
- Outdoor tower and foundation works
This includes the concrete foundation, the steel columns and beams, and the connections with the viewing deck and the main building. - Panoramic elevator equipment and viewing parts
This includes the complete elevator system, the electrical system, the panoramic car, the glass landing doors, the shaft glass, and some lighting and decoration. - Transport and installation costs
This includes sea freight, lifting on site, tower assembly, elevator installation, and the detailed work to connect the elevator to the viewing deck.
Many people only look at “how much the elevator costs” but for a project like this, which goes up to a viewing deck, the steel structure and the civil works are also a very important part of the total spending.
What Was the Biggest Challenge in This Project?
What Would You Like to Tell Hotels or Agents Who Want to do a Similar Project?
Local agent in the Philippines:
There were two main challenges for us.
- Height control
The pit, the tower, and the viewing deck all need to match in level. These three numbers must be clear and correct. We suggest bringing the manufacturer into the early talks, so everyone works from the same set of height data. - A panoramic elevator is “seen” by guests
The tower structure, the glass joints, the guide rail lines, and the lighting effects can all be seen directly by guests. So the installation accuracy and detail quality need to be higher than for a normal elevator.
With BDFUJI’s technical support, we made far fewer mistakes than we expected, and we gained a lot of useful experience for future projects of this type.
Would You Like to do This Kind of Project Again?
Local agent in the Philippines:
Yes, we would. We are already using this project as a sample when we talk with other hotel owners. 😄
For the hotel, this elevator has made the viewing deck truly come to life. For us, it is a complete case that shows our team’s ability. For BDFUJI, it is a project where the equipment and the space experience work very closely together.
For us at BDFUJI, this project is not only about sending one elevator to a site. It is also a journey where we work with a local partner to bring a beautiful view back to life.
From the garden to the viewing deck, we only added one elevator ride, but we created many moments that guests want to remember. Some guests take the elevator at sunset to watch the sky. Some families ride up together to take photos and keep the memory. The hotel now has a special place that they are proud to show.
If you are a hotel owner, or a partner who is looking for elevator solutions for a similar project, we would be happy to talk about your site and your ideas. Contact us and a custom panoramic elevator may help your viewing deck become one of the most memorable places in your whole property.
