L’elevator it is an element increasingly requested by a real estate market that is not only competitive, but which often takes this “accessory” for granted. In fact, buildings develop in height, especially in large cities, thus making the lift not only a convenience, but often an essential comfort for living in attics and apartments with a terrace on the top floor. The value of a property with a lift is higher than that of one with the same characteristics in terms of positions and square footage, but without it: in particular, the absence of a lift can reduce the value of the apartment itself by 15%.
How much does the elevator affect the value of the properties?
The presence or absence of an elevator in a residential building represents one of the factors that most significantly influence the market value of a property. This is not just an additional convenience, but a feature that can determine the choice of potential buyers, especially in urban contexts where buildings develop vertically.
The lack of an elevator inevitably implies a decline in the value of an apartment. In general terms, it is estimated that a housing unit without a lift may suffer a price reduction of around 15% compared to the average market value for the same area and type of property. This decrease is explained by the lower attractiveness that the property presents for a large segment of the market, including elderly people, families with small children or people with reduced mobility.
Furthermore, the valuation undergoes variations depending on the position of the property within the building: for apartments located on the ground floor, mezzanine or first floor, the absence of a lift generally does not imply significant variations in value. These floors are in fact considered easily accessible and, in some cases, desirable due to the speed with which one can enter or exit the building.
On the contrary, starting from the second floor there is a progressive decrease in value, with a reduction that is accentuated for the intermediate floors and becomes more marked as the number of floors increases up to the last one.
The presence of the lift, therefore, is not just a comfort factor, but translates into a real investment that can preserve and increase the value of the property over time, while at the same time making it more attractive in an increasingly demanding market.
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The real estate advantages of the elevator
The integration of an elevator in a residential building is a factor that brings numerous advantages, both in terms of functionality what about real estate value. The presence of an elevator considerably increases the attractiveness of a property, making it accessible to a wider audience and responding to the growing expectations of comfort and practicality of potential buyers.
The functional advantages of the lift in a property concern, first of all, theaccessibility to apartments, an essential element especially for the elderly, families with small children, people with disabilities or anyone carrying heavy objects. At the same time, it offers unquestionable comfort, eliminating the need to climb stairs and facilitating daily activities, as well as improving building security, especially in case of emergencies, allowing quicker and less tiring evacuations.
We must not underestimate the positive implications of the lift on a property from the point of view of income or its value. In fact, buildings equipped with a lift are generally more sought after on the market: this element of modernity and comfort can justify higher sales prices. At the same time, the presence of an elevator broadens the target of potential buyers, increasing the resaleability of the property.
Although the maintenance of an elevator is an investment that tends to pay for itself over time, keeping the value of the property high also in view of demographic dynamics that see a growing number of elderly people.
The elevator in listed buildings
Installing an elevator in listed buildings, that is, they are subject to restrictions linked to the historical and artistic heritage, represents a delicate and complex intervention that requires careful planning and compliance with specific regulations. The historical-artistic constraint of a building implies the need to preserve the architectural characteristics and the original aesthetic integrity, reconciling these needs with the implementation of modern technologies.
Before proceeding with the installation, it is essential to obtain all the permissions necessary by the bodies responsible for the protection of cultural heritage, such as the Supervision. This step involves the presentation of a detailed project that illustrates the planned intervention, demonstrating how the lift will be integrated into the existing context with minimal visual and structural impact.
The project will have to comply with the following guidelines:
- historical-artistic compatibility: the installation of the lift must not alter or compromise the historic parts of the building, including facades, internal or external decorations, load-bearing structures and other elements of artistic value.
- reversibility: the intervention must be reversible, i.e. it must be able to be removed in the future without leaving permanent marks or damage to the building.
- minimal visual impact: the lift should be designed and positioned so as to have the minimum possible aesthetic impact, using materials and designs that harmonize with the existing architecture;
- appropriate technologies: it is necessary to opt for advanced technological solutions that guarantee safety and reliability, with particular attention to silent and low energy consumption systems.
Any modifications to the existing structure must be limited to what is strictly necessary for the installation and safe operation of the lift.
After obtaining the approval of the Superintendency, often following a process which may include project inspections and reviews, the intervention can be carried out under the supervision of professionals specialized in the conservation of historical-artistic assets. It will be essential to maintain open communication with conservation bodies throughout the construction phase to ensure that the project proceeds in line with the approvals obtained and current laws.
Installing an elevator in listed buildings can therefore significantly improve accessibility without compromising the historical and cultural valueprovided that each phase of the process is managed with care and compliance with specific regulations for cultural heritage.
