Urban Elevator Service
Urban Elevator Service is a privately owned, unionized independent elevator contractor founded in 1985, providing installation, modernization, maintenance, repair, and specialty rack-and-pinion services to commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, and residential customers across more than ten U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersCicero, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Urban Elevator Service does
Urban Elevator Service, LLC is a privately owned, unionized, independent elevator service contracting firm founded in 1985 in the Chicago metro area and now operating across more than ten U.S. states from a network of regional offices. The company provides a full lifecycle of vertical transportation services — new installation (passenger, freight, traction, hydraulic, MRL, LULA, and dumbwaiter systems using non-proprietary equipment), modernization (ADA upgrades, cylinder replacements, fire service), preventive maintenance across three subscription tiers, 24-hour emergency repair, elevator inspections, cab renovation, and specialty rack-and-pinion industrial elevators installed in partnership with Alimak Hek. Its primary customers are commercial building owners and property managers, industrial and manufacturing facilities (grain processing, power plants), hospitality operators, healthcare institutions, and residential buildings, with a service book exceeding 3,000 elevators and escalators in the Chicago tri-state market alone.
The business is built on a recurring-revenue maintenance model with three subscription tiers (Inspection, Limited, Full Service) billed annually, supplemented by project-based installation, modernization, and emergency repair revenue. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with dedicated account managers — explicitly no call-center model — supported by a customer portal (urbanelevator.net), state-specific digital landing pages, content marketing, and community/association presence. The company is family-founded (Mark Hertsberg, with Rene Hertsberg as Co-CEO), reportedly backed by private equity and the Elevator Contractors of America, and organized as an LLC domiciled in Illinois with a wholly-owned Florida subsidiary (Urban Elevator Service FL) following the 2021 acquisition of Aventura Elevator. In April 2025, OTIS acquired eight of the company's locations, a significant consolidation event that materially reshapes the operating footprint.
Urban Elevator Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Urban Elevator Service
- Legal name
- Urban Elevator Service, LLC
- Website
- https://urbanelevator.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Urban Elevator Service is a privately owned, unionized independent elevator contractor founded in 1985, providing installation, modernization, maintenance, repair, and specialty rack-and-pinion services to commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, and residential customers across more than ten U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Urban Elevator Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Elevator Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Passenger Elevator Service & Maintenance (BPABAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Elevator Modernization & Retrofit (Controllers, Drives, Door Systems) (BPABAIAE), Elevator Repair & Emergency Callout Services (BPABAIAG), Freight/Service Elevator Service & Maintenance (BPABAIAB), Elevator, Escalator & Vertical Transportation Installation/Service (IMAFALAI)
Keywords
Where Urban Elevator Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cicero
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Urban Elevator Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Elevator Maintenance Contracts: Recurring service contracts with three tiers (Inspection Service, Limited Service, Full Service) providing regular maintenance, emergency callbacks, repairs, testing, and customer account management
- New Elevator Installation: Custom non-proprietary elevator installations for passenger, traction, hydraulic, MRL, freight, LULA elevators and dumbwaiters across commercial, industrial, and residential buildings
- Elevator Modernization: Modernization services including ADA upgrades, cylinder replacements, fire service upgrades, and code compliance improvements for existing elevator systems
- Emergency Repair Services: 24-hour emergency elevator repair services with certified technicians for rapid response to elevator malfunctions
- Elevator Cab Renovation: Interior elevator finish design, fabrication, and installation services including metalwork, millwork, engraving, and finishing
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Inspection Service - Basic inspection and reporting tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Limited Service - Mid-tier maintenance coverage |
| Subscription | Annual | Full Service - Comprehensive coverage tier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Urban Elevator Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Urban Elevator Service is an independent elevator service contracting firm that provides full lifecycle vertical transportation services including new installation, modernization, preventive maintenance, repair, and cab renovation for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. The company uses non-proprietary equipment, allowing flexibility across hoistway sizes, pit depths, speeds, and capacities, and specializes in rack & pinion elevators for industrial facilities such as power plants and grain processing operations. They maintain three tiered maintenance programs (Inspection, Limited, and Full Service) with 24-hour emergency repair availability across 10+ U.S. states.
Product overview
Urban Elevator Service is a large independent elevator company offering a comprehensive suite of vertical transportation services. The company's core offerings include Elevator Installation (new installations for passenger, freight, traction, hydraulic, MRL, LULA, and dumbwaiter elevators), Elevator Modernization (ADA upgrades, cylinder replacements, fire service upgrades), Elevator Service & Repair (maintenance and repair with over 3,000 units serviced), Elevator Maintenance (preventive programs in three tiers: inspection, limited, and full service), Elevator Cab Renovation (interior design and finishing), Rack & Pinion Elevators (industrial exterior elevators using Alimak Hek equipment), Emergency Elevator Repair (24/7 response), and Elevator Inspections (safety testing and compliance verification). The company operates across multiple U.S. states including Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington DC, serving commercial, industrial, residential, and healthcare facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Elevator Installation Complete new elevator installation services for passenger, freight, traction, hydraulic, MRL, LULA elevators, and dumbwaiters in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings using non-proprietary equipment tailored to building-specific requirements.
- Elevator Modernization Modernization services including ADA upgrades, cylinder replacements, and fire service upgrades to improve reliability, code compliance, and extend equipment lifespan for existing elevator systems.
- Elevator Service & Repair Professional elevator inspection, repair, safety testing, and litigation support services with Q.E.I. and S.E.M. certified technicians maintaining over 3,000 elevators and escalators across operating markets.
- Elevator Maintenance Preventive maintenance programs offered in three tiers: Inspection Service (basic inspection and reporting), Limited Service (lubrication, minor parts, regular hours callbacks), and Full Service (complete coverage including major/minor parts, 24-hour callbacks, all testing, and dedicated account manager).
- Elevator Cab Renovation Interior design, fabrication, and installation services for elevator cabs including metalwork, millwork, engraving, and finishing for hotels, residential, commercial, and healthcare facilities.
- Rack & Pinion Elevators Exterior industrial elevators for heavy facilities including power plants, stacks, and grain processing operations, using Alimak Hek equipment with installation, repair, and maintenance services.
- Emergency Elevator Repair 24-hour emergency repair services for non-operating elevators to minimize downtime and unsafe conditions across their service markets.
- Elevator Inspections Comprehensive elevator inspections, equipment audits, capital planning, and code compliance verification services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Maintains and services over 3,000 elevators and escalators
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Urban Elevator Service
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Urban Elevator Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Urban Elevator Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BOMAMIAMIminorUrban Elevator Service FL supported BOMAMIAMI at the TOBY Awards Dinner, supporting the Building Owners and Managers Association Miami chapter and their world-class reputation for facility design and management.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Urban Elevator Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KONE: Finnish-headquartered elevator OEM with significant U.S. service operations competing on maintenance, modernization, and installation across commercial and industrial segments.
- Champion Elevator: Independent elevator service and repair company offering maintenance, modernization, and installation; directly comparable independent operator competing in similar commercial and industrial accounts.
- Otis Worldwide: The world's largest elevator and escalator manufacturer and service company; directly competes with Urban Elevator in service/maintenance and recently acquired 8 of Urban Elevator's regional locations.
- Fujitec: Japan-headquartered elevator manufacturer and service company with a significant U.S. installed base, competing for service and modernization contracts comparable to Urban Elevator's offerings.
- Schindler Group: Global elevator and escalator OEM with substantial U.S. service operations; competes directly with Urban Elevator for maintenance contracts, modernization, and installation in commercial buildings.
- TK Elevator (ThyssenKrupp): Major global elevator OEM and service provider with a large North American footprint competing for the same commercial and industrial service accounts as Urban Elevator.
- Mitsubishi Electric (Elevator/Escalator Division): Major elevator OEM with U.S. service operations targeting high-rise commercial and industrial accounts that overlap with Urban Elevator's customer base.
- Mid-American Elevator Company: Independent U.S. elevator service and modernization company with multi-state operations; closest comparable independent contractor to Urban Elevator in business model and scale.
- National Elevator Company: Independent elevator service contractor serving multiple U.S. regions with installation, modernization, and maintenance — comparable in scope and customer type to Urban Elevator.
Broad incumbents
- Alimak Group: Global manufacturer of rack & pinion industrial elevators and construction hoists; existing equipment partner to Urban Elevator for industrial vertical transportation and a participant in adjacent verticals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Urban Elevator Service social profiles
Digital presenceUrban Elevator Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Urban Elevator Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Urban Elevator Service subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Urban Elevator Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Urban Elevator Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Urban Elevator Service
What does Urban Elevator Service do?
Urban Elevator Service is an independent elevator service contracting firm that provides full lifecycle vertical transportation services including new installation, modernization, preventive maintenance, repair, and cab renovation for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. The company uses non-proprietary equipment, allowing flexibility across hoistway sizes, pit depths, speeds, and capacities, and specializes in rack & pinion elevators for industrial facilities such as power plants and grain processing operations. They maintain three tiered maintenance programs (Inspection, Limited, and Full Service) with 24-hour emergency repair availability across 10+ U.S. states.
Is Urban Elevator Service a public or private company?
Urban Elevator Service is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Urban Elevator Service founded?
Urban Elevator Service was founded in 1985. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Urban Elevator Service based?
Urban Elevator Service is headquartered in Cicero, United States, in the North America region.
How does Urban Elevator Service make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Elevator Maintenance Contracts are the primary driver. The others are new Elevator Installation, elevator Modernization, emergency Repair Services and elevator Cab Renovation.
Who are Urban Elevator Service's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KONE, Champion Elevator, Otis Worldwide, Fujitec, Schindler Group, TK Elevator (ThyssenKrupp), Mitsubishi Electric (Elevator/Escalator Division), Mid-American Elevator Company and National Elevator Company. Alimak Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Urban Elevator Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for Urban Elevator Service.
What industry is Urban Elevator Service in?
Urban Elevator Service's product category is Elevator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAIAA, Passenger Elevator Service & Maintenance, with a secondary code of BPABAIAE, Elevator Modernization & Retrofit (Controllers, Drives, Door Systems).