Like many aspects of functional modern design, the passenger lift is a marvel of engineering that is seldom thought about because of how reliable it is. We enter the square, mirrored space, push the appropriate floor button and in less than a minute are transported to where we need to go.

However, there are so many spectacular, unique and fascinating lift designs occupying buildings throughout the world, either out of necessity or as an architectural centrepiece in themselves.

Lloyd’s Building Outdoor Lift

Home of the famous Lloyd’s Of London insurance institution, the Lloyd’s Building is unique in the United Kingdom for having nearly every internal aspect of the building on the outside, including its lifts.

Exterior lifts are exceptionally rare, and even in a city as architecturally vibrant as London the Lloyd’s building stands out, and with the help of its exterior lifts, the building became the youngest in history to garner Grade I listed building status.

Rising Tide Elevator

The MS Oasis of the Seas was the largest cruise ship ever made at the time of its launching (as of 2022 it sits fourth), and whilst it features a range of exceptionally luxurious and technologically advanced amenities, the main centrepiece is the Rising Tide Elevator that connects the Royal Promenade to the Central Park Deck.

What makes it unique is that it is perhaps the only lift in the world equipped with a fully-staffed cocktail bar, allowing up to 35 passengers to spend the eight-minute journey with a refreshing freshly-made drink.

AquaDom

The largest acrylic cylindrical aquarium in the world, AquaDom’s main role is to allow the people riding the lift to the different floors of the Radisson Collection Hotel in Berlin in the middle to see over 1500 fish on their way to the top.

It is a one-of-a-kind lift that may never be repeated or superseded.