The St. Elmo is a condominium. What does that mean?
The St. Elmo is a mixed-use condominium. Residential units on the first to fifth floors are owned by individual owners as full-time residences or vacation homes which they sometimes rent to visitors. The Concourse (lower) level contains food service establishments, shops and a day spa, all under private ownership. Common areas, including all porches, the courtyard, the parlor and interior hallways, are the property of the St. Elmo Condominium Association. Team VP and Brad Rater Contracting provide common area housekeeping and off-season unit checks.
Where do I park to unload upon arrival at the St. Elmo?
The area on Wythe behind the St. Elmo has a 15-minute loading zone with room enough for two cars. Owners, renters, and vendors are required to unload, then remove their vehicles from that area. That area is also the garbage pickup area and the garbage truck must have room to maneuver. Luggage carts for unloading are available inside the back entrance; shopping carts can be found outside by the bicycle area. Please return carts to where you found them.
What about permanent parking?
There is no reserved parking around the St. Elmo. During the season, visitors and owners must obtain a permit to park in areas designated by Chautauqua Institution. During the off-season, cars must be parked on one side of the street only on alternate days because of snow plowing.
Where can I park my bicycle?
Parking in the designated covered bicycle parking area at the back of the building is extremely limited. No more than two bicycles per unit can be parked there at any one time. Additional bike racks can be found near the corner of the Brick Walk and Pratt. Additional bicycle racks are located in Bestor Plaza.
Bikes may not be kept in bike racks when their owners are not in residence. No e-bikes are allowed to be stored or charged in condominium units or interior common areas at any time because of the danger of fire. We recommend that all bicycles be securely locked when stored outside to avoid casual theft. The St. Elmo Condominium Association provides these spaces for owner convenience and is not liable for the damage or theft to owner bicycles.
Where can I park my mobility scooter?
Scooters should not be left unattended in areas other than the designated parking spots at the back of the building, within a unit or in the area adjacent to the bike racks near the corner of the Brick Walk and Pratt. Scooters may be left in the concourse when shopping, dining or using the Spa as long as they do not block free movement within the concourse. Scooter users are responsible for any damage to St. Elmo spaces or equipment.
Where can I put my garbage and recycling?
All garbage, trash and recycling must be taken directly to the Trash Room on the first floor (the door at the back of the first-floor laundry room,) Information can be found on the back of each residential unit door. No recyclables, garbage or trash are to be left in the laundry rooms. All garbage bags must be tied shut. All large cardboard boxes are to be broken down and placed in the trash room. Large items such as furniture and electronics cannot be left in the trash room. Numerous Institution dumpsters are available on the grounds and the county dump takes electronics.
Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance?
Repairs and maintenance within each unit are the responsibiity of the owner, who may have this done by his/her own service provider. Repairs and maintenance in the common areas and restricted common areas (mainly unit porches) are the responsibility of the Condominium Association.
What should I do for medical and other emergencies?
For fire, police, and serious medical emergencies, call 911 immediately. For routine medical procedures during the season, the Westfield Memorial Hospital Clinic is located on Roberts Avenue near the Amphitheatre. Hours are 8-11 a.m. and 12:00-3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is (716) 357-3209. No medical assistance is available on the grounds during the off-season. The nearest emergency services are the emergency room at Westfield Memorial Hospital in Westfield (11 miles) or UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown (17 miles). WellNow Urgent Care (716-526-0156), located at 390 Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood, is open 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. seven days a week for non-life-threatening injuries and illness. The Chautauqua Department of Safety and Security number (716-357-6225) can also be called for off-season emergencies.
An AED is available and located on the first floor across from the elevators. The device provides verbal instructions during the use of the device. Even the novice user will be guided sufficiently to effectively use the device. Emergency services are also immediately notified when the device is deployed, and will be en route as you use the device.
How do I get mail and packages?
In the off-season, the exterior doors are locked, and UPS, Fedex, etc. will leave packages outdoors. You must make arrangements for someone to pick up off-season packages or they may be left abandoned oudoors.
In season, Packages from UPS, Fedex, etc. are usually placed on a shelf in the lobby for pick-up by residents.
Arrangements to receive mail must be made at the Chautauqua Post Office. Long-term owners and renters can sign up for a PO box at the Post Office for no charge.
1)How do unit owners get mail and packages through the Post Office?
Each unit owner may open their own no cost Post Office box in person at the CHQ Post Office on Bestor Plaza. Bring evidence of your ownership of your St. Elmo unit and personal ID for identification purposes when opening the Post Office box. The Postmaster will not authorize opening the box without evidence of property ownership. They recommend calling 3-4 weeks before you arrive, to reserve a box number. You may then complete the application when you arrive.
Mail and packages properly addressed to the Post Office Box will be delivered to and be available at the Post Office daily. This includes packages delivered by USPS, the major retailers such as Amazon and carriers such as Fed EX, UPS and others. Mail can be picked up from the PO Box any time the Post Office building is unlocked. Packages which will not fit in the PO Box may be picked up during normal business hours when the Post Office counter is staffed.
2)How should mail and packages be addressed to a unit owner PO Box?
The CHQ Post Office suggested three options shown below. Most deliveries will be handled using the first addressing option.
For illustrative purposes below, 678 stands for the unit owner PO Box number in the first two illustrations. # must precede the PO Box number in with of the first two options.
1) Unit owner name
1 Pratt Ave
#678
Chautauqua, NY 14722
2) to be used if there are only three address lines:
Unit owner name
1 Pratt Ave, #678
Chautauqua, NY 14722
3) This alternative could also be used:
Unit owner name
P O Box 678
Chautauqua, NY 14722
3)How do St. Elmo rental tenants get mail and packages?
Rental tenants could have mail and packages sent as follows: “Name, C/O General Delivery, 10-12 Roberts Ave, Chautauqua, NY 14722.” Mail and packages will be held at the Post Office and available for pick up by rental tenants.
Can I bring a pet?
Renters and guests may not bring pets other than trained service animals. Unit owners and their immediate family members can have 1-2 cats and/or dogs as long as they are kept under restraint in common areas. Animals other than service animals cannot be brought into the Concourse at any time. Pet owners are responsible for any damage in the common areas. No dog refuse is to be placed in common area waste receptacles. Animal waste should be bagged and placed in the outdoor waste cans on the grounds of Bestor Plaza. Animals showing threatening behavior or causing injury or damage must be removed from the building immediately.
Where may I smoke?
Smoking is not allowed in common areas of the St. Elmo, including the front porch, unit porches, hallways, parlor, concourse, stairwells, and the outside courtyard. Owners may smoke only within their privately-owned units but not on unit porches to protect neighbors against exposure to secondary smoke. Though individual units are privately owned, unit porches are limited common elements subject to regulations approved by the St. Elmo Board of Managers. Smoking by renters is not allowed in residential units.
What about alcoholic beverages?
The private consumption of alcohol is permitted within residential units and on unit porches but not in the common areas of the condominium such as the parlor, front porch and interior hallways. Alcohol may be purchased in the concourse restaurant for consumption within the restaurant and may be permitted for group functions in common areas such as the parlor and front porch if sponsored by an owner and approved by the President of the St. Elmo Board of Managers or a designated representative.
May I cook on my unit’s porch? Use it for storage?
Unit porches are an important visual feature for the exterior of the St. Elmo so it is important that they stay clean and attractive. Porches are not to be used for drying swimsuits, towels, etc. nor should they be used for storage. Any behavior that causes inconvenience or danger to the tenants of adjoining units should also be avoided. Cooking and grilling on porches are not allowed because of the fire hazard, nor is smoking permitted on unit porches .
Where can I do my laundry?
Washers and dryers are located in the laundry room at the end of each floor. They are not to be used before 7:30 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. Washers and dryers are free of charge to St. Elmo tenants. Remove laundry promptly when the cycle is completed. Ironing boards and irons are also available in each laundry room.
What should I do if I hear the fire alarm?
If you hear the fire alarm, immediately exit the building by the nearest stairs. Close but do not lock doors. In rental units, a diagram of your exit route is posted on the back of the unit door. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE ELEVATORS IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS. The emergency doors located on each floor close automatically when the fire alarm is set off. Owners may pass through these doors to access the stairwells. However, the doors must not be propped open as they suppress the movement of air, smoke and fire. If the hallways are blocked, go to your porch or nearest window and await instructions.
What if I or someone in my unit cannot use the stairs in emergencies?
Call 911 immediately to notify emergency services of the need for evacuation assistance.
Additional emergency rescue methods are being investigated – stay tuned.
What if I or someone else is unable to use the front stairs leading to the Concourse and the first floor?
The handicapped entrance to the St. Elmo is through the back door on Wythe. To access the Concourse shops, please use the elevators in the lobby.
What if I set off the smoke detector in my unit?
The smoke detector in your unit is very sensitive. Always run the exhaust fan above the stove when cooking and the exhaust fan in the bathroom when showering. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS PENDING
What about other emergencies?
Other than smoke and fire, emergencies such as water leaks and power outages should be reported by telephone to Brad Rater Contracting at (814) 460-9529 on weekdays from 8:00-4:00 p.m., (814) 460-7246 at other times, or Team VP (Will Soffel) at (716) 413-0201 ext 108.  Be sure to leave a message if someone does not answer.  Fire and smoke alarms are automatically transferred to Brad Rater’s and VP’s telephones, and to the fire department.  Elevator emergencies can be reported to Otis Elevator by the telephone located in the elevator cabs; you may also use your cell phone to call Brad Rater at (814) 460-7246.  Mechanical malfunctions are automatically transferred to Otis Elevator.
How do I get into the building during the season?
The building is unlocked 24 hours a day from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through October 14th. During this same period, the concourse is locked from 9:00 p.m. (or when the last business closes) until 7:30 a.m. When the concourse is locked, elevators will not travel to that floor.
How do I get into the building during the off-season?
During the off-season, the building is locked when no business is open. Access to the building during the off-season is by key pad at the front and rear entrances. The code may be obtained from rental agents or the owner. The most current building code is ALWAYS on the St. Elmo website. To maintain building security, owners and tenants must not give out the key code to anyone, including delivery personnel, contractors and visitors. Guests and others must be met at the front or back door and escorted inside.
What about contractors working in the building?
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS PENDING
What other building security exists?
Video surveillance cameras are mounted in multiple locations in common areas throughout the condominium.
How do I access the Internet within the building?
The St. Elmo Condominium Association provides free Internet access for all owners and guests. Renters should obtain login information from their rental agent. Owners should consult the Owners’ section of the St. Elmo website.
Where can I find information for local activities, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.?
Information for shops and food service establishments in the St. Elmo can be found on the St. Elmo website, stelmochq.com. The website also contains a link to the Chautauqua Institution website. During the season, the Visitor’s Center can be found in the Post Office directly across Bestor Plaza from the St. Elmo.
Revised 1/13/2025