Made in Italy · Est. 2012 in California
Our Story
In 1996, our founder entered the elevator industry in Australia.
He had a vision - make buying an elevator simple.
In 2012, he brought that idea to California. Elevator Boutique opened in California with a luxury showroom in Los Angeles, as the US counterpart of Lift Shop.
The simple idea became an industry - and Elevator Boutique still leads the industry we helped create.
One Idea. One Vision. Two Continents.
A niche we started in Australia and brought to California.
For generations, an elevator in a private home meant a compromise: a commercial elevator built for towers, or a mobility device built for stair barriers. Nobody loved either.
Lift Shop started the home elevator niche in Australia. In 2012, Elevator Boutique brought it to California.
Today the home elevator is one of California's most sought-after upgrades, designed into the most extraordinary homes in California, from the Hollywood Hills to the coast.
Created by us. Led by us.
The Founder
Accountant · Manager · Elevator Installer · Entrepreneur
"The elevator purchase process was convoluted. We thought it should be simple."
LES KATZ, SYDNEY, 1996
Price Waterhouse as a graduate accountant after UTS. Operations Manager at Schindler Elevators in Sydney. Seven years on the tools as a subcontractor installer.
Les saw what clients endured buying elevators: a complicated, legalistic transaction with consultants everywhere. The costs were high and the process was confusing.
The business grew slowly and in order. First installers, then service technicians, with proper processes and records from day one. In 2002 the home elevator niche emerged, and the business refocused on homes, starting with high-end homes.
As demand grew, Les refined the systems and the elevator range, opened showrooms across Australia and in Los Angeles, and trained more people. Since 2015 he has held an advisory seat on the ASME A17 committee, and he is widely written up in the architectural, elevator and general press as an authority on home elevators.
Les Katz - Founder, Elevator Boutique & Lift Shop
Les is recognized as a leading global expert in home elevators.
In 2026, Les is 57. He has been in the elevator trade for 30 years, and he began the succession plan three years ago. Done right, he says, nobody should notice.
He is not retiring: mentoring, staying healthy, and having fun with family - his wife, three kids and Rosie, their King Charles Cavalier.
Family-owned. Vertically integrated. Built to last.
Elevator Boutique is the US branch of Lift Shop: family-owned, founded by Les Katz in 1996, and launched in California in 2012. The second generation of the family already holds real decision rights.
We operate our own facility near Pisa, Italy. We source components directly and engineer our elevators in-house, which is what makes features like In Cabin Self Rescue possible.
Our own technicians install every elevator. Every elevator is serviced by Elevator Boutique technicians, with 24-hour support for service customers.
And sometimes, we say no. After 30 years we know this: satisfaction and safety come before profit. If we cannot guarantee both, we will not take the order.
Thank you for your support over the last 30 years, and for considering us for your next 30.
Your Long-Term Partner
Who you choose to buy a home elevator from matters. You are entering a long-term relationship with the company behind it.
At Elevator Boutique, that means the backing of a family company with three decades of experience, a showroom in Fountain Valley and a service team across California. From your first plans through to installation and ongoing servicing, we are built to support you for years to come.
Elevator Boutique launched in California in 2012, with roots going back to 1996 in Australia as Lift Shop. Together we have completed 12,000 installations across California and Australia. Our California showroom is in Fountain Valley, alongside Lift Shop showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.
Yes. Elevator Boutique is a licensed elevator contractor in California, verifiable through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Our elevators are engineered to ASME A17.1, the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, and to applicable California and local building codes. Inside the City of Los Angeles, they are built to comply with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC).
Battery backup lowering passively lowers the cabin to the nearest floor when power fails. In Cabin Self Rescue (ICSR) gives you active control: you press buttons inside the cabin to move the elevator to the nearest floor yourself. ICSR is included on every A Series and E Series elevator at no extra cost. It is not available for jobs within the City of LA.
Every Elevator Boutique elevator includes a 3-year parts warranty as standard, starting once the elevator is installed and ready for test. The first year of servicing is included and can be extended. To keep the warranty, all servicing must be carried out by Elevator Boutique technicians. Terms and conditions apply.
Yes. Elevator Boutique installs and services home elevators across California, from San Diego to the Bay Area, with our showroom and team based in Fountain Valley. Service customers receive 24-hour support.
After 30 years, we know this: your satisfaction and safety come before profit. With demand high and skilled labor tight, we limit new orders to protect the quality of every installation and service visit. If we cannot guarantee your satisfaction, whether through financial risk, unrealistic timelines, safety negligence, or a mismatch between your needs and our elevators, we will say no. That is how everyone wins.
Elevator Boutique is the US branch of Lift Shop: family-owned, founded by Les Katz in 1996, and launched in California in 2012. Our elevators are engineered in-house and built at our own facility near Pisa, Italy.
Yes. A home elevator adds accessibility, convenience and long-term appeal, especially in premium multi-level homes. An elevator with a warranty and a service record from a reputable supplier is an asset when you sell.
Contact Us
Ride the elevators and compare the finishes in our Fountain Valley showroom. We send a tailored quote for your home.
Or talk it through with an Elevator Consultant on (855) 326-8847
