Restoring the Historic Hippodrome’s Elevator

In the heart of the 114-year-old Hippodrome theater in Gainesville, Florida, sits a 113-year-old elevator that is long over-due for a revamp. The Hippodrome, completed in 1911, 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 then in 1981, the Hippodrome was designated as a State Theatre of Florida, which it still is to this day, alongside its elevator. The Otis Elevator Co. installed the Hippodrome’s manually operated elevator, engineered to function using friction and counterweight technology, in 1912. The 113-year-old elevator held the title of Florida’s oldest continuously operating elevator until January 2024, when it was taken out of service for safety concerns.

While the elevator had an impressive run in the theater that provides a home for theater shows, movies and events, The City of Gainesville’s Wild Spaces & Public Places Department and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs finally decided that it was due for restoration. With Eletech Elevator Co. heading the call, the US$135,799 restoration project has begun, Alachua Chronicle reported in February. Eletech Elevator Co. has begun the lengthy process of disassembling and assessing the historic elevator with the help of an expert machinist to repair damaged components and fabricate new parts for its restoration. The Hippodrome continues to offer shows through its “Alternate Access Theater’ initiative. Artistic Director Stephanie Lygne told TV20:

“We’re going to be taking every single production we produce on the main stage and adapting a professional version of that show. It will fit on our second stage, which is on the first floor and accessible to everyone.”