What is the room above the elevator shaft that houses the elevator machine referred to as?

The space located above the elevator shaft that contains the elevator machine is referred to as the Machine Room. This area is essential for the functioning of the elevator, as it houses the machinery and components necessary for the operation of the elevator system. It typically contains the hoisting machine, which drives the elevator, along with other essential components such as pulleys and sometimes control systems that manage the operation of the elevator.

The term "Machine Room" accurately describes this purpose-driven space, distinguishing it from other areas related to elevators, such as the pit, which is located beneath the elevator and is meant for accommodating the elevator's counterweights or providing a space for maintenance tools. Additionally, the control panel, usually positioned either in the machine room or the elevator car itself, is not the area where the machinery is housed but is instead where the controls for the elevator's operation are located. The term "cage" typically refers to the enclosure of certain types of elevators, particularly freight elevators, rather than a space designed for the equipment that operates these systems.