Exciting News! Restoration of the Historic Hippodrome Elevator has Begun.

Hippodrome Elevator Renovation

The City of Gainesville’s Wild Spaces & Public Places Department and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce that work to restore the Hippodrome’s historic elevator has begun.

The Hippodrome

25 SE Second Place

The Hippodrome, completed in 1911, is a City of Gainesville building and served as a U.S. Post Office, Federal Courthouse and U.S. Land Office until 1964. In 1979, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and in 1981, the Hippodrome was designated as a State Theatre of Florida.

Early photo of the Hippodrome as the City of Gainesville's U.S. Post Office, Courthouse and Land Office Building.

The Hippodrome elevator's mechanical room.

In 1924, the Otis Elevator Company installed the Hippodrome’s elevator—a manually operated unit engineered to function using friction and counterweight technology. Until January 2024, when it was taken out of service for safety concerns, the 112-year-old elevator held the distinction of being Florida’s oldest continuously operating elevator.

Following an inspection that revealed issues with the elevator's braking system and speed control, city staff diligently searched for a qualified vendor to undertake the refurbishment and repairs of this historic treasure. This solution not only ensures ADA access to the Hippodrome building for neighbors, but also preserves its rich history.

This week, Eletech Elevator Company has begun disassembling and assessing the historic elevator in collaboration with an expert machinist. They will be repairing damaged components and fabricating new parts to facilitate its restoration.

The project is anticipated to be completed this summer and is expected to cost $135,799.

For additional information, contact Betsy Waite at 352-393-8187 or email waiteed@gainesvillefl.gov.

Wild Spaces & Public Places

Your Half-Cent Sales Tax at Work

This project is being funded with the Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax. Collected from January 2023 to December 2032, the sales tax will continue to acquire and improve lands for conservation, wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation, and to operate and maintain parks and recreational facilities. To sign up for updates, please visit www.gainesvillefl.gov/wspp.

Gainesville City Commission: Harvey Ward (Mayor), Ed Book, Cynthia Chestnut, Desmon Duncan-Walker, Bryan Eastman, James Ingle, Casey Willits