Eiffel Tower Staircase

A section of the Eiffel Tower’s original spiral staircase has been installed at Susquehanna Union Green.

Early in the planning process for Susquehanna Union Green, the Eiffel Tower staircase was conceived as a permanent, public art installation and centerpiece of the new town center.

“We are proud to unveil this very special artifact,” said H. Ralph Vartan, Chief Executive Officer of the Vartan Group, developer of Union Green. “One of the most extraordinary monuments to the human spirit has a permanent place in our community.”

The 25-foot high staircase erected at Union Green is a segment of the original, cast-iron spiral staircase that Gustave Eiffel famously climbed to inaugurate the monument in 1889. In 1983 the original staircase was taken down, cut into 24 segments, and dispersed to museums and private collections around the world. This segment was acquired by the late John O. Vartan, founder of the Vartan Group.

The Eiffel Tower staircase at Union Green weighs over 3,000 lbs. and is installed on a reinforced concrete podium to be encircled by an ornamental barrier. It is painted with protective coating in the yellow ochre color said to be preferred by Eiffel. A plaque on the stem of the staircase identifies its provenance.

Climbing the staircase is strictly prohibited and possibly dangerous. Onlookers are advised to keep distant from the staircase while the plaza around it remains under construction.

Site engineering and design are by H.F. Lenz Company and LBA Landscape Architecture.