Method of retro-fitting elevators to existing buildings

A method of retrofitting an elevator to an existing building, the method comprising the steps of:

• manufacturing a preassembled elevator unit comprising a hoistway having a front, a back, a left side, a right side, a floor and a roof, the hoistway having at least two vertically aligned elevator access openings therethrough, the hoistway enclosing an elevator car and a drive mechanism for moving the car within the hoistway, whereby the hoistway, the car and the drive mechanism are manufactured together as one complete unit at a manufacturing site remote from the building, the hoistway configured to be secured to the exterior of the building;
• transporting the preassembled elevator unit from the manufacturing site to the building;
• forming a plurality of vertically aligned elevator access openings through the exterior of the building, correspondingly spaced with the vertically aligned elevator access openings through the hoistway;
• positioning the preassembled elevator unit against the exterior of the building with the elevator access openings through the hoistway in alignment with the elevator access openings in the exterior of the building;
• and
• securing the hoistway to the exterior of the building.