Home elevators · Chicago, IL
Home Elevators in Chicago, IL
See More. Live Higher. Move Freely.
- 3 Sizes Available
- Panoramic Design
- No Shaft, Pit, or Machine Room Required
- Installed in 2 to 3 Days
- Pneumatic Technology
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15,000+
installations worldwide
90+
countries served
2002
manufacturing since
2–3
days to install
1–3
passengers
Home elevators in Chicago
The World's Only Air-Driven Home Elevator.
Now Serving Homeowners Throughout Chicagoland
A PVE home elevator moves your cab using changes in air pressure instead of a hydraulic piston, cable, or counterweight system. A vacuum pump at the top of the unit gently pulls air from below the cab, and it rises. To descend, air is let back in and gravity does the rest. There’s no pit to dig, no separate machine room to build, and no oil-based hydraulic system to maintain. Homeowners from Logan Square to the city’s Bungalow Belt are installing PVE elevators to move easily between floors without a major construction project.
Models
4 Models.
One for Every Home.
Whether you live in a greystone in Logan Square, a bungalow in the city’s Bungalow Belt, or a home in the North Shore suburbs, there is a PVE model built for your space.
PVE30
Compact living
30 inches | 1 passenger
Start here for one rider when conserving floor space is a priority.
PVE37
Room for two
37 inches | 2 passengers
Compare this round model when you want room for two riders within its rated capacity.
PVE52
Wheelchair-fit assessment
52 11/16 inches | 3 passengers
Start here when wheelchair access is a project requirement. Confirm the chair, rider, door opening and cabin fit together.
The Cube
A different perspective
36 x 36 inches | 2 passengers
Consider this square model for a two-person layout, including potential corner placement after a site review.
PVE52 wheelchair suitability depends on the individual chair and user. Residential wheelchair access does not mean ADA compliance.
Why PVE
Built for the Way Chicago Lives
Chicago’s housing stock is defined by a handful of signature building types: the limestone-faced greystone, the brick two-flat, and the one-and-a-half-story Chicago bungalow that anchors the city’s famous Bungalow Belt neighborhoods. Many greystones and two-flats built in the early 1900s were originally stacked multi-unit buildings that have since been deconverted into single-family homes, often with a basement dug out and finished for additional living space, but reachable only by the original staircase. Bungalows have their own version of the same challenge, with a full basement below a story and a half of living space above.
That’s exactly the kind of home a PVE elevator was built for. Because the unit is self-supporting and needs no pit, shaft, or machine room, it can go into a Logan Square greystone or a Bungalow Belt home without a major structural rework. Most installations are done in two to three days, which matters given how Chicago’s permitting process for elevator work, handled through the Department of Buildings’ Elevator Bureau, can add time to a larger construction project.
For homeowners planning to stay in their Chicago home long term, a PVE elevator means a finished basement or an upstairs bedroom stops being out of reach. It connects levels without reworking a home’s historic character or its narrow city lot footprint. And because the system draws minimal power and pairs easily with solar, it fits naturally alongside the growing number of Chicago homes adding solar and other energy-efficient upgrades.
The Cleanest Home Elevator on the Market
Chicago homeowners renovating vintage greystones and bungalows are increasingly looking for upgrades that fit an energy-conscious approach. A PVE elevator uses no oils, no hydraulic fluid, and no lubricants, and it uses gravity, not motor power, to bring the cab back down. There’s nothing to leak into a finished basement and nothing that requires the kind of ongoing servicing a hydraulic system does.
Because the system runs on standard household current at low draw, it works well alongside an existing solar array, increasingly common on updated homes across Chicagoland. There’s no hydraulic fluid to dispose of and no reservoir to maintain.
The most sustainable home elevator available. Anywhere.
The most sustainable home elevator available. Anywhere.
Why Homeowners Choose PVE
- Certified and Safety-TestedEvery PVE elevator is built to meet national safety standards and independently tested before it ever reaches a home. If power is interrupted, the cab is designed to descend safely on its own rather than stopping mid-shaft.
- Ready for a Power OutageChicago sees its share of winter storms and power outages. If the power fails while the elevator is moving, the cab descends to the lowest level at safety speed and the mechanical door lock opens so passengers can exit.
- Designed to Be Seen, Not HiddenThe 360-degree glass cab isn’t boxed into a closet or hallway. It becomes part of the room, showing off natural light from an unexpected angle.
- Low Maintenance by DesignThere are no oils, gases, or lubricants to top off or replace. That means fewer service calls and less to worry about long after installation.
- No Shaft, No Pit, No Machine RoomThe structure supports itself, so it can go into an existing home without a foundation dig or a dedicated equipment room, which matters on Chicago’s narrow city lots and in older greystones and bungalows with tight basements.
- Built and Tested Before It ShipsEvery unit is assembled and tested at PVE’s factory before it’s shipped, including installations throughout Chicagoland, so what arrives on site is ready to install, not ready to troubleshoot.
Gallery
Real PVE installations
Testimonials
What homeowners say
My house was built in 1925 and it was hard to get something to fit in with the décor of my home, but the PVE fit in perfectly. I am thrilled with the design, engineering, and reliability of the elevator by PVE.
PVE homeowner
We are not age-limited with the elevator. At any age, it’s like living on a single floor. We’ve been here 5 years and it’s never needed anything. The elevator has been flawless.
PVE homeowner
It Turns A 2-Story Into A Ranch Concept! It’s for the ease & access but also for the resale. In think the investment is worth it!
PVE homeowner
From idea to installation
What happens during installation?
Your installation plan should cover the work before the elevator arrives as well as assembly and testing.
- Review the homeConfirm the layout, the people using the elevator and the levels it needs to serve.
- Confirm the model and locationCheck dimensions, landing access and the requirements for the selected configuration.
- Prepare the siteComplete the agreed structural and electrical work and arrange the required permits and inspections.
- Install and hand overAssemble and test the elevator, complete required approvals, and explain operation and ongoing care.
Timing depends on site preparation, the selected model and local requirements.
Can a home elevator be added to an existing Chicago home?
Yes. PVE elevators are designed for retrofits and don’t require a pit, shaft, or separate machine room, which makes them a practical option for greystones, two-flats converted to single-family homes, and bungalows with finished basements.
How much space does a PVE elevator need?
A PVE elevator has a compact, self-supporting footprint that varies by model and rests on the existing floor, so it can usually be placed without a major layout change, even on Chicago’s narrower city lots.
Is a home elevator a good option for aging in place?
Many Chicago homeowners install a PVE elevator specifically to stay in a multi-story home longer, connecting a main floor to a finished basement or an upstairs bedroom without relying on stairs.
Do I need a machine room or pit?
No. The self-supporting design eliminates the need for a hoistway, pit, or separate machine room that a traditional hydraulic elevator would require.
What does a home elevator cost in Chicago?
Cost depends on the model, the number of floors served, and site-specific factors like ceiling height and finish work. A local PVE dealer can walk through pricing for your specific home.
What permits are required in Chicago?
While single-family residential elevators are exempt from Illinois’s statewide Elevator Safety Act, the City of Chicago’s own municipal code still requires a permit for elevator construction, installation, or alteration. Permits are issued by the Department of Buildings’ Elevator Bureau and can only be obtained through a registered elevator mechanic contractor.
Is there a PVE model for wheelchair accessibility?
Yes. PVE offers models designed to accommodate wheelchair access. A dealer can help identify which model fits your home and mobility needs.
Service area
Serving Homeowners Across Illinois
PVE dealers serve homeowners throughout Chicago and across Illinois, from the city’s historic neighborhoods to the surrounding suburbs. Wherever you’re located, there’s a dealer ready to help you find the right fit for your home.
- Naperville
- Evanston
- Oak Park
- Schaumburg
- Winnetka
- Wilmette
- Elmhurst
More from PVE
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Request a quote for your home.
Tell us where you are planning to install an elevator in Chicago, IL and what you need it to do. Share the number of floors, whether the home is already built, and any mobility or space requirements.
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