The Cube Home Elevator in California
The Cube brings easy, everyday access between floors to your California home, so you can keep living in every room you love.
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What happens next
- Tell us about your home
- A Cube Lifts specialist contacts you
- Book your free in-home consultation
The Cube, a square air-powered home elevator, shown in a two-story home.
Stay in the California home you love, on every floor.
The Cube makes the trip between floors easy, so the stairs stop deciding where you live.
Maybe the stairs got harder after a knee surgery. Maybe a parent is moving in, or you are planning a remodel and want an elevator in the plan from day one. In each case, The Cube lets you keep using your whole California home: the upstairs bedroom, the main floor kitchen, the room with the best light.
The Cube is a square residential elevator for up to two people. It is air-powered, and it stands on its own frame. In plain words, it needs no pit, no traditional shaft and no separate machine room. That keeps the work in your home smaller and the install quick once the site is ready.
It is designed for 2-story and 3-story homes, which covers most houses where stairs become the daily hurdle. Its square shape fits neatly beside a wall or in a corner, and its clear panels give you 360 degree visibility as you ride.
The next step is simple. A PVE-certified dealer looks at your floors, ceilings and power, then tells you where The Cube fits best in your home.
The cleanest home elevator on the market.
The Cube runs on the same kind of household power as a washer and dryer and uses no oils. If the power fails while it is moving, it lowers you gently to the lowest landing.
- 01Air lifts you up
Machinery on top of the cab changes the air pressure and The Cube rises.
- 02Gravity brings you down
Air is let back in and the cab descends gently. No oils, gases or lubricants.
- 03Runs on home power
The same 220 to 240 volt supply as a washer and dryer.
Self-supporting, with no pit, shaft or machine room.
- Powered by air
- No pit, shaft or machine room
- Installed in 2 to 3 days
- 360 degree panoramic views
- Assembled in the USA
One elevator. Made your way.
For most California homes, the standard Cube is the place to start: compact, square and ready for two riders. If your elevator will stand in a living room or entry where guests see it, the Designer Series or the Diamond Package lets it look like part of the design. A dealer can show you each one in your space.
The Cube in Black
- Riders
- Up to 2 passengers
The standard finish: a black aluminum frame with clear or smoked panels and 360 degree views.
Explore The Cube in Black
The Cube in White or Beige
- Riders
- Up to 2 passengers
A lighter frame for bright rooms. The color is chosen when you order.
Explore The Cube in White or Beige
Diamond Package
- Riders
- Up to 2 passengers
Diamond-shaped exterior shaft panels for 2- and 3-stop homes.
Explore Diamond Package
Through-floor install
- Riders
- Up to 2 passengers
The Cube can rise through the floor into a loft or upper room, after a dealer reviews the site.
Explore Through-floor installThe Cube carries up to two passengers (450 lb). It is not wheelchair accessible and not ADA compliant.
Serving homeowners across California.
From the Bay Area to Southern California, PVE-certified dealers serve homeowners across the state. Your dealer handles the visit to your home, the site review, the installation and the support after. If you live in a growing county like Alameda, Santa Clara or Contra Costa, or anywhere else in California, reach out and we will connect you with the dealer who serves your area.
- CaliforniaYou are here
Also serving nearby: Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County.
Safe, simple and built to last.
Here is what The Cube brings to a California home, and why it suits the way many families here plan to live as the years go by.
Stay in the home you love
Most older Californians plan to stay in their own homes. The Cube helps you do that by making every floor easy to reach, so you can keep your routines, your bedroom and your view. Family visits and holidays can stay at your place, too.
No pit to dig
The Cube is self-supporting, so it needs no pit, traditional shaft or machine room. That means less work in your home and a simpler plan to bring to your building department. Your rooms stay livable while the project moves along.
A calm ride when the power fails
Outages happen here during storms, heat waves and wildfires. If the power fails while The Cube is moving, it lowers you to the lowest landing and the doors unlock. If it is parked, it stays put until the power returns.
Everyday household power
The Cube runs on a dedicated circuit, much like the one your washer and dryer use. There are no harmful oils, gases or lubricants to worry about, so there is nothing messy to store, leak or clean up in your home.
A square design that fits
Its square shape sits neatly beside a wall or in a corner. Clear panels give you 360 degree visibility, so it feels open and light inside your home. Color choices and design packages help it match your style.
Assembled in the USA
Every Cube is pre-assembled and factory tested in Miami, Florida, by PVE, a long-time maker of pneumatic elevators. A PVE-certified dealer reviews your site, installs it and supports you after, so you always know who to call.
The Cube at home.
What happens during installation?
Your installation plan should cover the work before the elevator arrives as well as assembly and testing.
- Review the home
Confirm the layout, the people using the elevator and the levels it needs to serve.
- Confirm the model and location
Check dimensions, landing access and the requirements for the selected configuration.
- Prepare the site
Complete the agreed structural and electrical work and arrange the required permits and inspections.
- Install and hand over
Assemble and test the elevator, complete required approvals, and explain operation and ongoing care.
Timing depends on site preparation, the selected model and local requirements.
Schedule your free consultationHome elevator cost in California.
In California, the total depends on your model and options, how many floors you connect, the floor opening and new circuit your home needs, and what your city asks for in plan check and inspections. A free in-home consultation gives you the price for your home.
What affects your price
- StopsA 2-stop or a 3-stop home
- FinishBlack, Beige or White; Designer Series, Diamond Package
- Site workElectrical and structural prep, permits
- PlacementStandard or split-unit machinery mount
Questions California buyers ask about The Cube
Is my California house a good fit for The Cube?
In many cases, yes, if your home has two or three floors and room for a compact square elevator. The Cube is designed for 2-stop and 3-stop homes, and it needs no pit or machine room, which keeps the changes to your house smaller. Every home is different, though. Ceiling height, floor framing and power all matter. A PVE-certified dealer can visit, look at your floors and show you where it fits best.
Does the state have to inspect or license my home elevator?
No, not for a typical single-family home. California's state elevator rules do not cover an elevator in a private home that is closed to the public. That means the state does not inspect it, and there is no state operating permit for you to renew each year. You still need your local building permit, though. Your dealer can walk you through what your city or county will ask for before work begins.
What will my city's building department want to see?
Your city will usually want a building permit, a plan check and inspections after the work. They look at the framing around the elevator, any change to your floors and the new electrical circuit. It is worth doing this the right way, since a city can ask for unpermitted work to be opened back up. Your dealer can help you gather the details your building department needs, so the process goes smoothly from start to finish.
What work does my home need before the install?
Most homes need two things: an opening through the floor and a dedicated electrical circuit. Because The Cube stands on its own frame, there is no pit to dig and no shaft to build. Your contractor typically handles the floor opening and the circuit while your permit moves forward. Once that site work is done, the install itself usually takes 2 to 3 days. Your dealer will list the prep steps for your home after the visit.
What if the power goes out during a heat wave or storm?
You will not be left stuck between floors. If the power fails while The Cube is moving, it lowers you to the lowest landing at a slow, steady speed, and the doors unlock so you can step out. If the cabin is parked at a floor when the power goes, it simply stays there. Parts of California do see outages during storms, heat waves and wildfires, so this is a good feature to ask about.
My mother uses a wheelchair. Is The Cube right for her?
No, The Cube is not wheelchair accessible, and it is not ADA compliant. It is made for people who can step in and stand or sit, with a folding seat available as an option. It works well for someone whose knees or balance make stairs hard. If a wheelchair user needs to ride, tell your dealer during the visit. They can talk through what will work best for your family and your home.
How do I find out what it will cost for my home?
The best way is a free in-home consultation with a local dealer. The price depends on your model and options, the number of floors, the site work your home needs, shipping, taxes and local dealer pricing. A California home may also need a floor opening, a new circuit and city permit steps. After the visit, you get a clear quote for your home instead of a guess. Schedule your free consultation to start.
Who looks after The Cube once it is installed?
Your PVE-certified dealer does. The same dealer who reviews your site and installs The Cube also handles service and support afterward. The Cube needs minimal maintenance compared with many traditional elevators, since it has fewer moving parts and uses no oils. Your dealer will set a service schedule that fits your home. If a question comes up later, you have one local team to call, which keeps things simple for your family.
Built for the way California lives.
- Who it helps
- Owners planning to age in place in 2-story and 3-story homes
- Permit
- A city or county building permit, plan check and inspections
- State operating permit
- Not needed for a typical single-family home
- Install time
- 2 to 3 days once site preparation is complete
If you plan to stay in your home for the long run, you are in good company. Research on aging in California shows that most older adults here expect to stay in their own homes, and a large share of them own those homes. Many already own their homes outright. That is why an elevator is often a better plan than a move: you invest in the house you already know and love.
The same research found that stairs are the most common daily task older adults need help with. For your home, that means the staircase is usually the first thing to solve. The Cube lets you keep your bedroom upstairs instead of turning the dining room into a sleeping space. Your days can stay the way you like them.
Stairs are the most common daily task older adults need help with.
The number of Californians over 80 is expected to more than double in the coming years, and many of them will find it hard to stay home without help. If you are an adult son or daughter, this may be the talk you are having with a parent now. Planning early gives the whole family more choices and less rush. The state's Master Plan on Aging also lists housing among its key goals.
This is especially true in the Bay Area. Counties such as Alameda, Santa Clara and Contra Costa expect their older population to grow much faster than the rest. If your home is there, more of your neighbors will be making the same plans. Starting your visit early leaves time for design choices and your city's plan check without feeling hurried.
Now the permits, since this is where many buyers get confused. California's state elevator rules do not cover an elevator in a single-unit private home that is closed to the public. The same is true for a home with no more than two dwelling units that is not open to the public. So for a typical house, the state does not inspect your elevator, and there is no state operating permit for you to renew.
Your city or county still has a say. You will need a local building permit, and most cities ask for a plan check before work starts, then inspections after. The building department looks at the framing, any floor changes and the electrical circuit. Skipping this step is a real risk, because a city can ask for unpermitted work to be opened up for inspection. Your dealer can help you prepare what your building department asks for.
Power is worth thinking about here too. Parts of California have seen outages during wildfires, heat waves and winter storms, and storms have cut power in Southern California communities. If the power fails while The Cube is moving, it lowers to the lowest landing at a controlled speed and the doors unlock. A cabin parked at a landing simply stays there, so you can wait for the power to return.
Here is how a project usually goes. First, a dealer visits to review your floors, ceiling height and power, and helps you choose where the elevator goes and which side the doors open. Next, your contractor handles the floor opening and the dedicated circuit while the permit moves through your city. Once the site is ready, the install itself typically takes 2 to 3 days. You can also ask about the earthquake brackets upgrade during your visit.
Looking for something different?
Ready to see how The Cube fits your California home?
Tell us about your home and who will ride. A local PVE-certified dealer will set up a free visit, look at your floors and power, and give you a clear quote. There is no pressure, just answers.
877-814-7028- Head office
- 4151 West 108th Street, Suite #1, Hialeah, FL 33018
- Phone
- 877-814-7028
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon – Fri 8am – 4pm EST · Sat – Sun closed
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