Malachi Leo Elliott

Who is Malachi Leo Elliott?

M. Leo Elliott was an architect known for his work in Tampa and Sarasota, Florida. His designs include the layout for the first phase for the City of Temple Terrace, Florida, Ybor City's Centro Asturiano de Tampa, Old Tampa City Hall, Osprey School, two buildings that were part of Florida College and the original Temple Terrace Estates, Masonic Temple No. 25, the 1920 addition to Sarasota High School and Historic Spanish Point. Several of the properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Elliott also designed Grand Central Place, now home to Mise En Place. The Tampa Gas Co. building was also designed by Elliott, but was lost after a fight for preservation failed. He also designed the Leiman-Wilson house. Elliott is widely regarded as one of the finest architects in Tampa's history.

Elliott was born in New York's Catskill Mountains in 1886. He came to Tampa from Woodstock, New York. He married Beth Thompson, daughter of N.O. and Mary Coe Thompson. They had two children: Shelia and M. Leo Jr.

Elliott won first place in design competitions for the Centro Asturiano Club and Tampa YMCA building. On September 2, 1907, Elliott formed Bonfoey and Elliott with B. C. Bonfoey. The firm is credited with designing Tampa City Hall and the Centro Asturiano at 1913 Nebraska Avenue. The partnership ended with the advent of World War I Bonfoey is buried at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park in Tampa. He was a Cpl Co F 1 Conn Inf SAW.