The popularity of the University of Essex’s Paternoster lift, which consists of 14 separate compartments and operates in a continuous loop, has increased. The 1967-installed lift has gained over 2.3 million views on the university’s TikTok page, where videos of it have been posted. The university is one of only three in the United Kingdom still using this uncommon lift system.
Peter Ellis, a Liverpool-based architect, originated the concept in the 1860s. It utilises open compartments on a continuously moving loop, with one side ascending and the other descending. Its name derives from its resemblance to rosary prayer beads and the Latin phrase for “Our Father,” which is the first phrase of the Lord’s Prayer.
The other two examples are located at the Arts Tower of the University of Sheffield and Northwick Park Hospital in London. The Albert Sloman Library at the University of Essex underwent extensive renovations in 2020-2021, including the installation of a new traffic light system to enhance safety.
The Paternoster lift in the Attenborough Tower of the University of Leicester was discontinued in 2017 due to high maintenance costs. However, this information has not deterred visitors, as the University of Essex has become a popular location for wedding photoshoots.
The Paternoster lift has become an unexpected online sensation and has captured the attention of people from all over the world due to its distinctive design. The University of Essex is proud to be one of the few locations in the United Kingdom still utilising this rare lift system and is thrilled that it has become so popular among visitors and online viewers.
