Ritz Historic Inn
Presenting, Ritz Historic Inn
It was built in the 1920s by Bert Acker and Ocala judge Simeon Sistrunk and named the Ritz-Acker Apartments. The facility originally had 16 apartments on Silver Springs Boulevard, which was then a narrow, tree-lined Ocklawaha Avenue, according to the Florida State Historic Preservation Office. The hotel’s Mission style architecture was typical of the boom era architecture that swept through Florida at the time. The original 16 apartments each had its own fireplace, balcony and private sun porch. In 1941, the owners divided three of the apartments into six and converted a community room into two efficiency apartments due to a demand for housing in the area during World War II.
The Ritz was designed by Ocala architect Frederick T. Uezzell for owners Sistrunk and Acker. When the two men announced they were building the apartments, it made front-page news in the city’s Ocala Banner newspaper. Acker came to Ocala as part of a traveling theatrical company and married Sistrunk’s daughter. The two men formed a real estate company and built the Ritz in response to Florida’s booming population. Construction began in 1925 and was completed in 1926, with prominent Ocalans living there, including Acker and the architect.
Work Performed
What Our Clients Say
I have never hesitated to recommend their company; indeed, I frequently have done so and will continue to.
Stephen Michelini
Michelini Consulting
Your solution was so original that you received an Award of Merit for Preservation... Your repair and restoration work... has allowed me to brag that since 1915 our 100-year-old building has never been in better shape!
Susan Hill Pieper
Paulding County Carnegie Library
The owner, Mrs. Cassie Gardner is very professional and excellent to work with... She took the time to communicate the project status and... The project was completed by the due date and the project remained within budget.
Gwendolyn Myers
Greater Bethel M.B. Church, Inc. Trustee Chairman
I can personally attest positively to their bold of handling the efforts involved in attaining very positive results in our restoration process. I was very much pleased.
Samuel J. Hemingway
Liaison, Bethel AME Church
Entrusting our heirloom to All Trades has been a blessing for our community of faith. Without reservation we recommend their care for antiquities worth preserving for future generations.
The Rev. Roy Tuff, Rector
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and School
The supervision and tradesmen
supplied by All Trades was some of the best I have ever worked
with and I would gladly recommend them on any historical
restoration project.
Terry Huntzicker
Lakeland Terrance Hotel
If ever we need any work on any of our buildings, we will make our first call to All Trades. We found Cassie Gardner to be most knowledgeable as to how to solve our problems. A very professional company.
Larry D. Clem
Property Manager, Church of the Ascension
We have been very pleased with the outcome of the project and we will continue to use All Trades for the next phases of our building restoration!
Jim Zinner and Cynthia Morselli
First United Methodist Church, Plant City
We are very impressed with the quality of work and proud of the finished product... The workers did not just do a “job” but, rather, were passionate about their work... We could not be more pleased...
Johnson County Commissioners
William Gabel, John Marr, Charles Kavanaugh
The latest project was a year-long restoration of our brick, mortar, and cast stone. This 97-year-old 60,000+ square foot building demands constant maintenance and the flexibility, knowledge, attention to detail and thoughtful project management that All Trades offers, along with Cassie’s incredible enthusiasm makes a sizable project seem to go smoothly and the building well cared for.
Craig Wills
Facilities Manager, First United Methodist Church
