A drive apparatus for an elevator has a base member (5) and a driving sheave (7) mounted on the base member. The ends of a rotational shaft (11a) of the driving sheave are supported by a reduction gear mechanism (11) and a bearing holder (10) mounted on the base member on opposite sides of the driving sheave (7). An electric motor (12) for driving the gear mechanism is mounted at one end of the base member, preferably opposite a deflector sheave (8) mounted at the other end. This symmetrical arrangement reduces the size of the apparatus and vibrations.