In 1894, when the Novorossiysk elevator was put into operation, it surpassed most similar structures in the Russian Empire and across the continent, second only to the Chicago elevator in the USA. Its parameters are impressive even today: the length exceeds 160 meters, the width is about 30 meters, the height of the silos reaches 30 meters, and the central tower rises to 40 meters. The foundation of the elevator consists of 364 hexagonal silos, which, if stacked on top of each other, would form a height of 8 kilometers. To ensure stability, the building was constructed on rocky ground, and the materials included metal, stone, and brick. About 9 million 625 thousand bricks, 6 thousand tons of cement, and 1 million 276 thousand cubic meters of rubble stone and slabs were used. The architectural part of the project was led by engineer S.I. Karbedza, while the mechanical part was overseen by engineer A.N. Shensnovich, who made the elevator not only an architectural but also a technical marvel. He implemented a power station with a three-phase alternating current generator, invented by M.O. Dolivo-Dobrovolsky, which was unique in the world at that time. All major electrical equipment was manufactured by local technicians and workers.

The elevator was so unique for its time that the management organized an open day for journalists and citizens to inspect it from the inside.

During the Great Patriotic War, battles took place for the elevator, but the building withstood and was preserved. By 1950, it was fully operational and continued to increase its workload.

For a long time, the building was in a neglected state, but a few years ago, a quality major renovation was carried out. Today, just like a hundred years ago, the elevator remains a decoration of the city.