Ponce Hall Restoration

Ponce Hall Restoration

A gift to the Ponce Hall Preservation Fund helps protect the historic heart of Flagler College.

Originally built in 1888 as the Ponce de Leon Hotel, Ponce Hall has long stood as one of Florida’s most remarkable architectural landmarks. In 2025, Flagler College completed a major restoration of the building, carefully preserving its historic beauty while modernizing the spaces where students live, learn, and gather every day.

The restoration strengthened the building’s structure and renewed many of its most treasured features. The roof was restored to protect the artwork below, and the building’s famous chandelier, originally designed to showcase the new technology of electricity in the 19th century, was recreated by a local artisan after being absent for decades.

Ponce Hall also houses the largest collection of Tiffany windows still in their original location, giving Flagler students the rare opportunity to study these masterpieces up close while living and learning within the building itself.

What the Restoration Accomplished

The completed restoration included significant improvements that preserve the building’s legacy while supporting modern student life:

Historic Art and Architecture Restoration
International fine art conservators restored murals, fireplaces, plaster details, and decorative elements throughout the building. Original gold leaf discovered during the project will also be restored.

Modern Infrastructure
Dorm rooms were updated with modern plumbing, electrical systems, and mechanical upgrades while preserving the building’s historic architectural features.

Improved Student Living Spaces
Many residence hall rooms now include private bathrooms and modern comforts, allowing students to experience living in history while enjoying contemporary amenities.

Preservation of Iconic Spaces
The former grand dining room of the Ponce de Leon Hotel continues to serve students today as the Ponce dining hall, maintaining its historic character while remaining a central gathering space on campus.

Why Continued Support Matters

While the major restoration has been completed, preserving a National Historic Landmark like Ponce Hall requires ongoing care and investment.

Your support helps Flagler College:

• Maintain and preserve historic architectural features
• Protect the Tiffany windows and historic artwork
• Continue conservation work on murals, plaster, and decorative elements
• Ensure future generations of students can live and learn within this extraordinary space

Living among history gives students a deeper understanding of their role in society and connects them directly to the story of Henry Flagler and the development of Florida.

Thank You

Thanks to the support of alumni, donors, and partners, including significant investment from the State of Florida, the restoration of Ponce Hall has renewed one of the most extraordinary campuses in the country.

Your continued generosity helps ensure this historic landmark remains a place of inspiration, learning, and community for generations of Flagler students to come.

Thank you for helping preserve the legacy of Ponce Hall.