About The Oldest Escalator In America
The first building in the world to have a modern day escalator
The first and oldest escalator in America, and the world for that matter, is located in Macy's Herald Square, New York City, New York. These wooden escalators can still be found in good working condition. Built in 1902, Macy's Herald Square was the first building in the world to have a modern day escalator. The Otis Elevator Company pioneered the machinery.
Today, Macy’s Herald Square is the world’s most recognizable shopping destination and known as "America's Largest Department Store". The escalators were initially upgraded between 1920 and 1930 when Macy's expanded its 1902 structure to make way for more shopping. When the store underwent major renovations in 2015, many of its old-world features were upgraded to their modern versions. However, a few wooden escalators remained in their original form.
Macy's Herald Square states that it is the first building to have the modern-day escalator and some of the wooden escalators are still used today. Elevator World describes it as the oldest escalators in operation in the world. The first Otis escalators at Macy's had flat steps.
These escalators are made of oak and ash wood, including the steps, handrails, and supports. They've been meticulously maintained and upgraded over the years to meet modern safety standards. The design featured intricate carvings and ornate details, reflecting the craftsmanship of the era.
Originally there were 40 escalators, but most of them had their wooden steps replaced with metal steps and one was taken out to make way for a Coach shop. Maintaining the wooden escalators requires special care and attention due to their age and unique construction.
Macy's has invested in their preservation, refurbishing and repairing them as needed to ensure they remain safe and operational. The wooden escalators at Macy's Herald Square have become an iconic symbol of the store and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors from around the world come to experience the historic escalators and marvel at their craftsmanship.
They were considered a marvel of engineering at the time and were the first escalators in New York City. Despite the advancements in escalator technology over the years, Macy's has preserved its wooden escalators as a historic feature of the store.
They are a beloved and nostalgic part of the shopping experience at Macy's Herald Square. Recently, Macy's spent $400 million to renovate its flagship store in Herald Square. But it has retained some of its old wooden escalators that still creak along on the upper floors.
The Macy's Herald Square building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The building was built in three stages commencing in 1902, with the first portion which extends half a city block back from Broadway towards 7th Avenue contains 10 stories of retail space. The second and third stages of construction were performed in 1924 and 1931 expanding the property to its current form.
Despite the advancements in escalator technology over the years, Macy's has preserved its wooden escalators as a historic feature of the store. The Macy's wooden escalators are a unique and enduring feature of the flagship store, serving as a reminder of the rich history and heritage of one of America's most iconic department stores.
Today, Macy's Herald Square has multiple escalators that are an integral part of its modern retail layout. Escalators are essential for multi-level stores like Macy's, providing efficient vertical transportation for shoppers between floors.
The specific details about the escalators at Macy's Herald Square, such as the number, design, or any unique features, may change over time due to renovations or upgrades. As of October 2016, the wooden slatted escalators on the lower floors were replaced with metal stairs, only the top 2 floors remain wooden.
*Note: According to Guinness World Records, the world's first escalator was created by Kansas, USA, inventor Jesse W Reno as a temporary amusement ride at the Old Iron Pier, Coney Island, New York. However that escalator no longer exists. This makes the Macy's Herald Square escalator(s) currently the oldest escalator in America, and the world.