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Hill York Building 75

Hill York Then…

Where it all began: the story of Hill York, South Florida’s leading mechanical contractor.

Imagine the luxury hotels of Miami Beach without air conditioning, closed in the summer, and cooled only by fans in the winter months. As Florida’s first air-conditioning company, Hill York changed all that!

Hill York pursued the challenge of designing and installing air-conditioning in more than half of the luxury hotels in Miami Beach just after World War II, making way for more tourism in South Florida with visitors and conventioneers flocking to the area. To this day, the company is credited with making Miami Beach a year-round community.

In 1936, the two founders, Ren Nitzsche and Everett Carroll were in the equipment business, serving as a distributor for Hill refrigerated cases and York air conditioning. During World War II, the company refurbished and installed used refrigerators, and renamed their company by combining the names of the two companies for which they were distributors.

Ten years after the duo began their business, they met Robert S. Lafferty, Sr., whose vocation was selling oil heaters in New Jersey. Lafferty saw an opportunity in the warm climate of the South to bolster the air-conditioning business of Hill York. He sold the first complete air-conditioning system to The Roney Plaza Hotel on Miami Beach. Other hotels started following suit, and Lafferty soon had nearly every major hotel lined up for air conditioning. Eventually, Lafferty became a part owner of the company.

His son, Robert S. Lafferty, Jr., is now chairman of the board of Hill York, while his grandson, Robert W. “Chip” Lafferty, a professional engineer, presides as chief executive officer. The company still maintains a branch in Miami where it got its start, but Fort Lauderdale is now the location of its headquarters.

Hill York Now…

Hill York is better air conditioning

• Hill York is now celebrating 75 years of stable growth history in Florida. We currently have six branches ready to serve you.

• The Only MSCA Green Star Certified mechanical contractor recognized by USGBC in Florida!

• Hill York is the Largest Liebert Network Solution Partner in Florida.

• Hill York has air conditioned tens of millions of square feet for South Florida’s indoor environments.

• Hill York is an Energy Star Service and Product Provider Partner.

We are Hill Yorkers

At Hill York, we are not employees, we are Hill Yorkers.

• We work in teams
• We work with pride and integrity
• We work with open and honest communication
• To do the right thing
• To be a good steward of our resources
• To learn and achieve excellence

Testimonials

  • “For the past ten years, Hill York has teamed with Nova Southeastern University to air condition every new building the University has built. This would encompass over 1.5 million square feet of projects built under the “Nova Track System,” otherwise referred to as faster than fast track. Our relationship grew strong over time as we Continue Reading

    JOHN J. SANTULLI, II, VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

  • “We are very satisfied with the workmanship supplied by your technicians. They are very proficient and they kept us advised of their progress; even to the point to advising one part would have to be completed the following day, but with no inconvenienceto our personnel. We close with the following… We have been Hill York Continue Reading

    FRANK H. FURMAN, JR., CHAIRMAN, FRANK H. FURMAN INSURANCE

  • “Your company delivered as promised and your team of employees worked as one unit; to the fulfi llment of the agreement but beyond to setting the image that companies strive for in quality and satisfaction. The best compliment that I can give to acknowledge your service is by bringing to the attention of my company, Continue Reading

    WAYNE C. JONES, FACHE, ADMINISTRATOR, NORTH MIAMI BEACH SURGICAL CENTER