thomas center

Beautiful for weddings outdoors & reception indoors. No live fire or throwing rice or streamers on the grounds. Neighborhoods surrounding has small streets & looks a little shady at night but over all beautiful

The gardens were beautiful and you call a number to get a guided tour instead of a person. I have never seen it done like that before but the building was beautiful. I loved hearing how it used to be a hotel with 94 rooms and a family lived here for many years with their five children. It is worth the visit.

This old private home-hotel-municipal office building-art gallery is impressive to visit for any reason. Look for an art exhibit, for example.

Thomas Center is a very attractive historic building and gardens Near the Duckpond area and close to downtown Gainesviile. The building is impressive and well maintained in and out.There are fountains and colonnades and lawns open to the public and its a nice place to stop if you are biking or walking around town. It's a good place to picnic, read a book, or take family photos, too. You can walk around the big porch, look in windows, and enjoy the outside architecture at any time. Not sure how much of the interior is accessible for non event days. A number of outdoor festivals and events are held there each year. The building and outside seating areas can be rented for occasions, most popularly weddings. I have attended several weddings there and its probably the best place in town for such an event. I think it's in high demand, so book early. It's kind of pricey, and they do have a number of restrictions in place. A friend's daughter held her wedding there last year and they could not get in to decorate until two hours before the ceremony, which made things a bit tense. The staff was helpful, and it ended up being very nice. Whether you want a pretty place to relax and read a book or a charming historic event venue, Thomas Center is an excellent place to consider.

I was told that this was once a large estate, then a hotel, and now a center for large gatherings. We were there for a wedding and the atrium is decorated beautifully for such events. The porch area was excellent for an outdoor bar and seating. The gardens provide backdrop for the photographs that follow such an event. I would imagine the Center has to be booked well in advance.

Private residence, hotel, government building with a touch of elegance, the Thomas Center is all these things. A portion of the Thomas Center houses city of Gainesville offices is somewhat cramped almost dingy fashion. In stark contrast however are the public spaces. The gardens and public rooms are elegant reminders of turn of the century opulence. This Mediterranean Greek Revival building serves as a meeting, social and wedding venue with great style. We are planning an event at the Thomas Center for November. The cost is reasonable and the staff is fist rate.

Went to a wedding here and it was a wonderful venue. Everything about it was charming, from the gardens to the fountain to the lighting. Staff was great

Attended a friend's wedding in one of the back courtyards. The grounds were beautiful and the history of the house was very interesting. It's tucked back in one of Gainesville oldest neighborhoods so get your directions straight because you can run into some one way streets on your way there. It's open to the public so walking around the grounds is a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Another little gem tucked away in Gainesville that gives one a glimpse of what life was like in "olden times."

Classy joint that harks back to a time when people wore shirts with collars and shoes made of leather.

Over the years, I've been here many times. It's a beautiful old beautiful. The City has offices here. I was there recently for a memorial service for a friend.

I love the Thomas center they have a great art gallery and it is located in a great location. It is well kept. Most of the exhibition are complimentary so it is easy on the pocket book. Highly recommend visiting for local and visitors. I have been to a few wedding there also was very nice.

The old Hotel Thomas is one of Gainesville's unique treasures. It serves many ways at the same time. Beautiful gardens, interesting restored period rooms, the sunlit atrium and even government offices. Space can be rented inexpensively for any sort of event.

This idyllic little setting consists of the picturesque lawn of the old Thomas Hotel -- complete with sputtering fountain at its center. The giant oak trees shade a lot of the yard so if you just want to find a grassy area to lounge, sun or read and need a reprieve, this place is great. The lawn is well-manicured with sparse but attractive gardens. Venture closer to the building itself and you'll find a lawn area before what appeared to be once used as a small stage, and another small lawn area in front of a turtle fountain. I attended a wedding in this garden nook once, have taken prom pictures there, and it's always been a beautiful spot well-lit by summer's 5 pm sinking sun. If you get bored, during the daytime hours there's usually a museum exhibit inside featuring either local art or a piece of Florida history that you can get lost in for a good hour or so. Recently saw the piece on the Evergreen Cemetery, and have seen many good things here over the years. The one downside is that there are frequently big events being held in the space, so be aware of what you might be crashing and try to be considerate.

I grew up in Gainesville and this the former Hotel Thomas is part of Gainesville's history. Really pretty grounds, great architecture, and their are two small art galleries that change several times a year. There are also a couple historically accurate rooms refecting when the hotel was in business many years ago. The Spanish court is beautiful inside and many events and weddings are held here. The fountains outside are attractive and it is just a nice quite peaceful place to hang around. Admission is free and when you are in Gainesville you should visit this place especially if you like historic preservation, cool architecture, nice grounds and an overall interesting place to visit. Younger kids may find it boring unless you let them run around outside. .