Residents at Uptown ‘luxury’ apartment building say elevators have been out for weeks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Residents at a luxury apartment tower say elevators haven’t worked for weeks forcing them to take the stairs in the 13 story building. Residents say people with disabilities, baggage and strollers can’t access the building at 500 West Trade in Uptown Charlotte.

“I’m having problems getting up and down those steps with my luggage. I also, I’m dealing with sciatica pain, and I’ve been to PT three times since the elevator broke down,” Kim Daye 7th Floor resident said. “I had expenses come with this you know, with guests coming in having to stay in hotels and PT that’s a cost.”

Residents say only one elevator on the 13 story building in Uptown Charlotte works impacting their quality of life while presenting a safety hazard in an emergency.

“You’re expected an ease of access in a luxury building, to say the least. So it’s been quite an ordeal and it’s fluctuated my living experience tremendously. In a negative way.” Ryan, 6th Floor Resident said.

500 West Trade is considered a luxury apartment building, they even have a concierge on duty but residents say there’s nothing luxury about elevators that don’t work.

“It’s beautiful. But if I got to walk up to the hot tub, I got to walk down to the first floor for my to my fitness center. That’s a disservice and it’s rough on the body? I’m paying $3,700 a month,” Daye said.

The North Carolina Department of Labor inspects elevators. WCCB searched the elevator inspection reports which show three of four elevators have an active certificate. Records show the other elevator was out of service for motor replacement when inspectors visited on January 16th.

“There’s four elevators total. It’s always been an issue ever since I moved in,” Ryan, 6th Floor Resident said.

Residents have been getting updates from management about the problem. In an email to residents, the company says, “The issues with all down elevators have been fully diagnosed, and the vendor is actively working through the repair process, with hopes to have at least one of the two elevators back in service soon,” but some say that’s not enough.

“They need to go a little further by giving some kind of reduced rent,” Daye said. “I would think that’d be the thing to do. I like it here. I’d just like to see something better.”

Northwood Ravin, the company that owns 500 West Trade did not offer a statement about the ongoing problem with elevators before this story aired. We will update the story with a statement when it is available.