What's the true cost difference between elevator lobbies and smoke curtains?

For an 8-story building, elevator lobbies cost $448,000 to $920,000 upfront, while smoke curtains cost $120,000 to $200,000 - a savings of $328,000 to $720,000. However, the bigger cost is lost revenue from lobby space, which can amount to millions over a building's lifetime.

How much revenue do you lose with elevator lobbies?

In a hotel, 200 sq ft per lobby (about one room size) at $150/night with 70% occupancy equals $229,950 per year lost revenue. Over 10 years with inflation, this becomes $2.6M+ in lost revenue per building.

What factors should I consider when choosing between elevator lobbies vs smoke curtains?

Consider your cost per square foot of construction, annual revenue per square foot, building ownership timeline, whether you're maximizing leasable space, and the opportunity cost of using square footage for non-revenue purposes.

Do elevator smoke curtains provide the same fire protection as lobbies?

Yes, both elevator smoke curtains and lobbies provide equivalent fire and smoke protection as required by building codes. Smoke curtains are just one of five approved methods for elevator smoke protection under IBC Section 3006.3.

When might elevator lobbies still make sense?

Elevator lobbies make sense when the design already accounts for lobby space naturally, when prestige and aesthetics outweigh economics, when a specific architectural vision calls for lobbies, or when there's excess space that won't generate revenue anyway.

Elevator Smoke Curtains vs Elevator Lobbies: Cost Comparison 2025

My answer was quick: "If it were my business, there's no way I'd add elevator lobbies. Why would I throw money away?"

The Real Cost Components People Miss

What People Think Elevator Lobbies Cost

A couple of doors with panic hardware - maybe $5,000 to $10,000. That's the common assumption when comparing elevator lobbies vs smoke curtains.

What Elevator Lobbies Actually Cost

In reality, an elevator lobby involves:

Construction costs per square foot: - finished space with high-end materials
Lost revenue space: - the hidden cost few people factor in
HVAC modifications: - extra ventilation and climate control
Electrical work: - lighting, alarm tie-ins, distribution
Architectural fees: - more design time and coordination
Extended schedule: - more trades, more moving parts

What People Think Elevator Smoke Curtains Cost

Usually just "the curtain price" when considering elevator smoke curtain cost.

What Elevator Smoke Curtains Actually Cost

The real elevator smoke curtain price picture:

Curtain systems: $6,500 to $10,000+ per opening, installed
Electrical coordination: Minimal, ties into existing fire alarm
Installation: Typically included
Lost square footage: Zero
Timeline impact: 1 to 2 days, no delays

Upfront Construction Cost Breakdown

For a typical 8-story building comparing elevator lobby vs smoke curtain cost:

Elevator Lobby Construction Costs (per floor)

200 sq ft lobby space:
$200 to $400 per sq ft: = $40,000 to $80,000
Doors and hardware: $8,000 to $12,000
HVAC modifications: $5,000 to $15,000
Electrical and lighting: $3,000 to $8,000

Total per floor: $56,000 to $115,000

Elevator Smoke Curtain Costs (per floor)

2 openings: $13,000 to $20,000
Electrical coordination: $2,000 to $5,000
Installation: Included

Total per floor: $15,000 to $25,000

8-Story Building Cost Comparison

Elevator lobbies: $448,000 to $920,000
Smoke curtains: $120,000 to $200,000
Upfront savings: $328,000 to $720,000

The Revenue Loss Factor (The Hidden Killer)

The bigger issue isn't upfront elevator smoke curtain cost - it's lost revenue from elevator lobbies.

When you dedicate square footage to an elevator lobby, you're removing income-generating space from your building.

Hotel Revenue Loss Example

200 sq ft per lobby: (approximately the size of a guest room)
6 floors = 6 rooms lost:
$150 per night × 70% occupancy: = $229,950 per year lost
10 years with 3% inflation: = $2.6M+ revenue loss

Office Building Revenue Loss

1,600 sq ft lost total:
$30 per sq ft lease rate: = $48,000 per year
10 years: = $600,000+ revenue loss

Apartment Building Revenue Loss

One unit lost per floor:
$2,000 per month × 12: = $24,000 per year
Multiply across floors and years: = significant recurring loss

This is space you already paid to build. The question is: will it earn you anything back?

Timeline and Operational Considerations

Construction Timeline Impact

Elevator lobbies: No additional timeline during normal construction
Elevator smoke curtains: 1 to 2 days installation, minimal disruption
Emergency situations: When architects forget to plan smoke protection, costs can increase 40%

Maintenance and Long-term Costs

Elevator lobbies: Door hardware maintenance, HVAC costs for conditioned space
Smoke curtains: Annual testing required by code, minimal ongoing maintenance
Flexibility: Lobbies are permanent; smoke curtains can be relocated or upgraded

When Elevator Lobbies Might Still Make Sense

To be clear: elevator lobbies aren't "bad." They make sense when:

The design already accounts for lobby space naturally
Prestige and aesthetics outweigh economics
A specific architectural vision calls for lobbies
There's excess space that won't generate revenue anyway

But building elevator lobbies simply because "that's how it's always been done"? That's what costs building owners the most.

The Industry Reality

Most building owners trust their design team, and rightly so. But in many cases, the revenue impact of elevator lobbies isn't spelled out - not because anyone's hiding it, but because it isn't usually the first lens through which a design is viewed.

By the time I see drawings, the decision is already baked in. That's why I'm trying to start this conversation earlier - so owners, architects, and contractors can weigh the full picture before costly space is locked in.

Questions to Ask Before Deciding Between Elevator Lobbies vs Smoke Curtains

What's my cost per square foot of construction?: - Understanding your per-square-foot construction costs helps quantify the true expense of dedicating space to elevator lobbies.
What's my revenue per square foot annually?: - Calculate how much each square foot generates in annual revenue to understand the financial impact of lost space.
How long will I own this building?: - The longer your ownership period, the more significant the revenue loss from elevator lobby space becomes.
Am I maximizing my leasable space?: - Every square foot dedicated to elevator lobbies is space that could potentially generate income.
What's the opportunity cost of using square footage for non-revenue purposes?: - Consider what else you could do with that space - additional units, retail space, or other income-generating uses.

Real Project ROI Analysis

Use our [Lobby vs Curtain Calculator](/tools/lobby-vs-curtain) to see exactly how much elevator lobbies could cost your specific project. This tool calculates:

> Related Reading: Not sure if your building needs elevator smoke protection? [Read our complete guide to elevator smoke curtains](/blog/elevator-smoke-curtains-complete-guide-2025) to understand the code requirements and how these systems work.

Upfront construction cost differences
Annual revenue loss from lobby space
10-year financial impact
Break-even analysis for your market

The Bottom Line on Elevator Smoke Curtain ROI

If ROI matters most: Smoke curtains win
If aesthetics outweigh economics: Lobbies may fit better
If you're unsure: Run the numbers for your specific project

Next Steps

Calculate Your Project's Real Costs

Use the [Lobby vs Curtain Calculator](/tools/lobby-vs-curtain) to see the financial impact for your specific building. Input your project details to get:

Accurate cost comparisons
Revenue loss calculations
Long-term financial projections

Don't Make This Decision in a Vacuum

Talk with your architect about both elevator smoke protection options
Run the math, not just the drawings
Consider the total cost of ownership, not just upfront costs

Need Professional Guidance?

Use the [Section 3006 Decision Tree](/section-3006) on my website for code requirements, or [contact me directly](/contact) for a free consultation about your specific project. My goal isn't to push one manufacturer - it's to make sure building owners and developers don't discover too late that they've paid for space that will never earn them back a dime.

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*Questions about elevator smoke curtain cost vs elevator lobby construction costs? Contact me at hello@thesmokecurtainguy.com or use our to see the real financial impact on your project.*