Wheelchair Lifts for Theaters, Homes, Monuments, and other Historic Spaces
Historic buildings and spaces present unique renovation challenges, as construction damages and changes limit options for providing adequate accessibility features. However, none of Ascension’s lifts require damage to a structure.
Hotel Don CeSar
Opened in 1928 and located just off the white sands of Florida’s St. Pete Beach, the Don CeSar resort and spa boasts a long and storied legacy. Some of history’s most celebrated figures have graced the grounds of this lavish retreat. From rooftop concerts to beach-walk movie scenes; the rich, the famous, the notorious, and those just looking to get away have all found a paradise at the Don CeSar.
Poolside Renovation
The Don CeSar has nearly everything and now it has enhanced accessibility. In a renovation around the hotel pool, ADA access was needed to a second story lounge overlooking a large pool.
As a chic resort, the Don CeSar needed an easy to use wheelchair lift that would provide its guests access to one of the hotel’s finest amenities, while resilient enough for outdoor installation in the seaside atmosphere. However, the wheelchair lift also needed to preserve the clean, well-manicured look that is a hallmark of the hotel.
Several important facets as listed by the designing architect included:
- Paint Color
- Outdoor Use Package
- Two-Way Communication
Ascension’s Clarity vertical wheelchair lift easily met these demands and so much more.
Solution: Custom Clarity
Ascension’s Clarity can reach up to 14-feet, making it the clear choice for second story access. Additionally, the Clarity’s wrap around window area and clean lines enabled the wheelchair lift to integrate into the space seamlessly. However, the management team at the Don CeSar wanted a few non-standard items included with the Clarity, and Ascension was happy to oblige:
- Paint Color
- Outdoor Use Package
- Two-Way Communication
- Outdoor Use Package
- Two-Way Communication
Don CeSar's Custom Clarity
To ensure that the wheelchair lift did not clash with the visual appeal of the Don CeSar, a custom color was required. Of course, Ascension provides for custom paint as an option on all of its lifts and the Clarity is no exception.
As a result, the Don CeSar’s Ascension Clarity wheelchair lift is a Metallic Silver to reflect heat and to de-emphasize the outline of the lift and ensure that a guest’s visual attention remains captured by the resort grounds as a whole.
To further support the resort in its mission of providing guests a seamless and unobstructed experience, the Ascension Clarity delivers a fully windowed enclosure. The significant window area fits the bill for outdoor use at the Don CeSar and it’s tropical Florida environment. Furthermore, the windows minimize visual intrusion, to ensure that guests and lift users are able to fully enjoy the aesthetic and wonder of the resort and its surroundings.
To provide reliable ADA access to the Don CeSar’s two-story gazebo overlooking the pool, the wheelchair lift was to be permanently installed outdoors. However, as a lift near a pool and – more importantly – very near the Atlantic Ocean in Florida weather, it was essential that the lift be capable of withstanding even severe weather and the slow but steady march of humidity and salt spray. Again, the Ascension Clarity was able to provide.
Ascension’s outdoor use package includes an additional zinc-rich primer to exposed steel around the lift for added corrosion protection, as well as an additional foam seal on the platform to prevent any moisture intrusion.
Furthermore, stainless handles and outdoor hydraulic fluid are standard features on every Ascension Clarity to provide protection no matter the environment.
Tolerating no loss of attention to detail in its mission to provide the best experience possible to its guests, the Don CeSar required a method of communication between lift rider and personnel outside of the lift. Naturally, Ascension and the Clarity wheelchair lift rose to the challenge.
A hands-free telephone system was installed inside the wheelchair lift to facilitate easy communication between the lift rider and outside persons in the event of an emergency. Easily activated with the push of a button, the phone is a pre-dial system. Once activated, the phone autodials a programmed number for prompt assistance.
Additionally, every Ascension lift features a large, push, emergency stop button for use in the event of a rider emergency. This feature and others ensure that Ascension’s line of wheelchair lifts always provide a location with full ADA compliance and its users with the safest ride possible.
To provide reliable ADA access to the Don CeSar’s two-story gazebo overlooking the pool, the wheelchair lift was to be permanently installed outdoors. However, as a lift near a pool and – more importantly – very near the Atlantic Ocean in Florida weather, it was essential that the lift be capable of withstanding even severe weather and the slow but steady march of humidity and salt spray. Again, the Ascension Clarity was able to provide.
Ascension’s outdoor use package includes an additional zinc-rich primer to exposed steel around the lift for added corrosion protection, as well as an additional foam seal on the platform to prevent any moisture intrusion.
Furthermore, stainless handles and outdoor hydraulic fluid are standard features on every Ascension Clarity to provide protection no matter the environment.
Tolerating no loss of attention to detail in its mission to provide the best experience possible to its guests, the Don CeSar required a method of communication between lift rider and personnel outside of the lift. Naturally, Ascension and the Clarity wheelchair lift rose to the challenge.
A hands-free telephone system was installed inside the wheelchair lift to facilitate easy communication between the lift rider and outside persons in the event of an emergency. Easily activated with the push of a button, the phone is a pre-dial system. Once activated, the phone autodials a programmed number for prompt assistance.
Additionally, every Ascension lift features a large, push, emergency stop button for use in the event of a rider emergency. This feature and others ensure that Ascension’s line of wheelchair lifts always provide a location with full ADA compliance and its users with the safest ride possible.
Other Clarity Features
While the Clarity lift at the Don CeSar has some additional amenities, ever Ascension lift is built for long service life and quality performance. This means that some standard features include:
- Floor level access
- Non-damaging installation
- Significant window area
- Full ADA compliance
Conclusion
Ascension enabled the Don CeSar to deliver ADA compliant access to it’s customers while maintaining the integrity of space.
Protégé
The Protégé is an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift used in many low-rise situations. The lift’s low-profile design enables it to integrate well into surrounding architecture. Portable options provide an easy method of delivering access to multiple locations, while its large window area serves to enhance rider safety, enable caregiver monitoring, and dispel rider anxiety.
Clarity
Like its siblings, the Clarity excels in ADA compliance and ease of use. The lift is compact and reliable, requiring little space for installation. Its modern appearance and enclosed design offer both safety and aesthetic value. The Clarity offers up to two-story travel, as well as pitless installation and rampless access, making the lift a top-tier accessibility solution.
Virtuoso
For the Virtuoso, safety is paramount. Fully ADA compliant, the lift also features an enclosed design to prevent falls, as well as 360° safety skirting to stop casual access to the underside. The Virtuoso’s user-friendly interface and quiet operation provide a seamless experience for all users, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a safe accessibility solution.
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Pitless Installation
There’s no need to dig large, damaging holes to install an Ascension. Every Ascension wheelchair lift features pitless design, enabling installation without the need to dig a large install pit. Unlike many of Ascension’s competitors, our lifts are designed with their lifting mechanisms in the walls of the lift, rather than bunched underneath the landing platform.
Lifecycle and Support
Ascension was founded in 1990 and we offer the longest, most comprehensive warranty in the business, meaning; we’re not going anywhere. Ascension’s 10-Year Drivetrain, 4-Year Parts, 90-Day Labor warranty is a commitment from us to you that your wheelchair lift will run when you need it, where you need it, for a long, long time.
Lifting Height
Many of our customers ask about lifting height, as they all have varying needs. Ascension offers low-rise capable lifts (Protégé), rise up to two stories (Clarity), and anything in between (Virtuoso). No matter where you need access, Ascension has you covered.
Outer Dimensions
Installing anything requires space and a campus has precious little to spare. That’s why Ascension wheelchair lifts feature small footprints. This enables each lift to fit easily into compact locations, while still supplying an ADA compliant inner platform. Ascension footprints include: Protégé: 52″ W x 61″ L, Clarity: 48″ W x 68″ L, Virtuoso: 52″ W x 64″ L
Etched Windows
Ascension can provide etched windows on any lift to include facility or organization name and logo, scenes, and much more.
Custom Paint Colors
Ascension offers choice of color so that your lift matches with you vision, at no additional cost.
Additional Industry Information
Additionally, Ascension provides several benefits that standout among our competition:
Towerless Design
Rather than the large tower used to hold lifting mechanisms common to wheelchair lifts, Ascension lifts feature a towerless design, made possible from housing the lifting mechanisms in the walls of the lifts. This enables each Ascension lift to maintain a low profile aesthetic and small footprint without obscuring lines of sight.
Flush Entrance
Each Ascension wheelchair lift features a flush entrance and exit without the need for ramps. Ramps require greater floor space to use and thus a larger area for a lift installation.
Window Space
Each Ascension wheelchair lift has been designed to maximize the clear window space present in order to prevent rider anxiety and allow caregivers to monitor the rider.
Fully ADA Compliant
Every Ascension wheelchair lift does comply with ADA, ADAAG, and ASME A18.1 requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
All Ascension lift models come with a standard 10-year drive train, 4-year parts, and 90-day labor warranty, setting an unparalleled industry benchmark. Optional extended warranties are also available.
Just give us a call at (520) 881-3993 and ask for Ascension Sales; you may also use our Contact Us form or email us.
Set up of the portable Ascension Virtuoso requires approximately 10 minutes, while the portable Ascension Protégé requires approximately 5 minutes. Watch our lift setup videos for more detailed information.
In general, we recommend inspecting the lift’s hydraulic fluid level at six-month intervals. For other specific questions regarding maintenance, get in touch with us.
Typically due to code requirements; however, some installation locations are better served with permanent modal wheelchair lifts instead of portable versions. Because states, regions, and municipalities throughout the US and elsewhere all adopt different versions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, a permanent wheelchair lift, rather than a portable lift, may be required by law.
All Ascension lifts may be used outdoors. For extended outdoor use, cold climates, and other harsh environments, an optional Outdoor Package is available.
The Ascension Virtuoso 5460 Model Series has a 60” maximum rise and the Ascension Protégé 5442 Model Series has a 42” maximum rise. The Ascension Clarity 16E features a 168” maximum rise.
Some Ascension models can interface with some full-height doors in some locations. Please contact us to get the answers for your specific application.
Ascension’s standard availability for portable models is two weeks after receipt of order. Permanent models are custom made; therefore, the lead time can vary from four to ten weeks.
Right here, of course! We sell direct as the manufacturer. Contact us today for a free estimate!
Yes! Ascension sells direct as the manufacturer in many areas worldwide.
Yes! The Ascension Virtuoso 5460P and the Ascension Protégé 5442P may be CE-marked for distribution in the European Union.