Tuesday 18 May 2004

Glass lift promises daring ride up sky tower

Sky Tower is today opening what is hailed as a world first attraction with a lift that not only has glass viewing doors but also has a glass floor.

The lift has been fitted with 38 mm safety glass floor which allows passengers to see down into the lift shaft in addition to viewing Auckland city via the front windows of the lift, as they ride up and down the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

The newly refurbished “Dare to Ride” lift will make the 196 metre trip up Sky Tower even more thrilling than before said General Manager Sky Tower and Hotel, Jan Hunt.

“As New Zealand’s most visited stand alone tourism attraction (more than 50% of international visitors to the city experience Sky Tower), Sky Tower is continually refreshing its product offerings and this is one example of that.

“Recently we opened our new retail store at the base of Sky Tower, installed three revolutionary Eye in the Sky Tower live interactive camera kiosks in the main observation deck and introduced the two unique tourism adventure products – Sky Jump and Vertigo Climb just over two years ago.

“We have a number exciting plans for the future also and are actually in the process of conducting a feasibility study on the possibility of launching a bungy jump off Sky Tower.

The “Dare to Ride” lift is available to all Sky Tower customers from today (Tuesday 18 May 2004). A sign will ask people to choose if they “Dare To Ride” in the lift with the glass floor or not.

Noel Moselen, Auckland Service Manager from Schindler Lifts (the company who developed the lift), says it was an engineering feat that took over six months from conception to completion. “We had to totally redesign the entire lift from our head office in Switzerland - I certainly do not know of any other lift with glass floor features to this extent,” he says. Ms Hunt, who today took the inaugural test ride up in the lift, explains it as “thrilling but also very safe.’”

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer another unique entertainment experience for Sky Tower customers.

“Should anyone riding the lift feel nervous at any time, they can simply move around the glass floor segment which takes up approximately one third of the floor space,” she says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

SKYCITY

Auckland

Visit the very best of the city, SKYCITY - our premiere entertainment destination in the heart of Auckland's CBD.

Get a piece of the action in our world-class casino from a choice of over 100 table games or try your luck on the latest gaming machines.

For time out, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking 360 degree views right across Auckland from the 328m tall Sky Tower or if it is adrenaline that you are seeking - take a walk around the top of the famous pergola or Sky Jump off!

There is also time for indulgence and pampering at SKYCITY. With an array of delicious cuisine from our restaurants and bars, including award winning recipes by acclaimed New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, you can also enjoy the luxuries of our 4 and 5 star hotels, with an array of entertainment right on your doorstep - there is something for everyone!

CONTACT SKYCITY

• Website - SkyCity Auckland
• More on - Events at SkyCity in Auckland
• Social - SkyCity Auckland Facebook
• Sign up to - SkyCity Auckland's Newsletter

• Website - SkyCity Auckland in Chinese
• Online Booking SkyCity's - hotels in Auckland
• Twitter - @SkyCity Auckland Twitter
• Link - Contact SkyCity Auckland

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>