- The Hippodrome Theatre elevator, Florida's oldest, is under repair with a $33,000 brake and controller fix expected to finish by early November.
- Gainesville has spent over $973,000 on the Hippodrome since 2020, including $135,000 on a 2025 elevator overhaul and plans $300,000 for window repairs.
- City officials struggle to find parts for the 115-year-old elevator and are considering adding a new, functional alternative elevator.
The Hippodrome Theatre elevator, the oldest in Florida, is down for repairs as the city of Gainesville, the building owner, coordinates new manufacturing and attempts to buy spare parts to prevent long maintenance closures.
The elevator went out of service in early September and briefly resumed operating, but Facilities Manager Gary Cothren said the city’s service provider, TK Elevator, shut it down again over safety concerns.
Cothren said the brake assembly was shipped for repairs, with service also expected for the controller. The cost for both repairs would be approximately $33,000. He estimated that the elevator will reopen in early November.
The Hippodrome’s main stage is up two flights of stairs on the second floor, making the elevator essential for many guests.
Gainesville recently invested $135,000 to overhaul the elevator through Wild Spaces Public Places surtax funding, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting in August 2025.
According to city officials, Gainesville has spent more than $973,000 since fiscal year 2020 on the Hippodrome Theatre building, including 2018 safety and energy upgrades. In addition to the elevator project, city staff also plan to spend an estimated $300,000 for third-floor window repairs, and Gainesville gave the theatre $150,000 to cover revenue loss in 2024.
The Hippodrome Theatre just finished its run of “You Can’t Take It With You” and started “Little Shop of Horrors” last week, with the final show on Nov. 1.
Hippodrome Consulting Producing Director Evans Haile said in a statement to Mainstreet that the theatre is working closely with the city to resolve the issues.
“We appreciate all of their time and energy in making this historic piece of Gainesville healthy again,” he said in the statement. “We have been assured the elevator will be functioning again by the beginning of November and are very thankful for their efforts.”
In emails to city commissioners from early October, Haile said the elevator closure was impacting guests, like a 101-year-old and someone on oxygen, along with business for the theatre.
“This is affecting not only the Hipp as a business, but public perception regarding the city’s commitments,” Haile said in the email.
Commission Ed Book replied to Haile and said the city might need to look at alternatives to the historic elevator.
Cothren told Mainstreet that the parts for a 115-year-old elevator are very difficult to find. He said he wasn’t sure if the contractor found replacement parts for the brake assembly or is custom-making pieces, but he said the new engine built during last year’s repairs included a lot of custom work.
“Most of the parts on [the elevator] would be obsolete,” Cothren said.
He said the repair work is typical for an elevator. But the age of the system makes maintenance more frequent and difficult to navigate.
Public Works Director Gail Mowry told Mainstreet that the city has someone looking for replacement parts. She plans to buy a new assembly and other components to keep reserved for future repairs instead of trying to search once the elevator is already out of service.
Haile suggested the city revisit the possibility of a new elevator, potentially attached to the external escape stairs. He said it was an idea thrown out during the 2025 overhaul.
“A historic elevator is nice; however, we must look at having an alternative that is functional and practical,” Haile told the commission.