Cyclorama Building (Buffalo, New York)

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Built in 1888 by the Buffalo Cyclorama Company to take advantage of the newest fad in immersive entertainment, the Cyclorama Building was hastily constructed without windows or heating systems in order to display "The Crucifixion of Christ" which opened to great fanfare on September 6th, 1888.

Essentially the 3D movies of their time, Cyclorama's were enormous 360 degree paintings of landscapes or historical events which were hung around circular buildings in order to provide viewers with the feeling of being part of the scenery. Proving to be immensely popular and drawing several thousand guests per day, "The Crucifixion of Christ" remained on display for over two years before it was replaced with the now-famous "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama, which was on display for another two years. After four years of profitable operation, public interest in cyclorama's waned and the building was turned over to the City of Buffalo in 1910 after Buffalo Cyclorama Company closed their doors.

Seeing a wide variety of uses for the next 20 years which included a roller skating rink, and a taxi garage, the Cyclorama Building gradually fell into disrepair before being condemned in 1937. Saved by the Works Progress Administration, the building was rehabilitated and became the home of the Grosvenor Library which occupied the building until 1967, when it was left vacant as economic downturns made their way through Buffalo. Remaining vacant until 1985, the Cyclorama was purchased for $110,000 and went through an extensive renovation and upgrade period which turned the building into multi-tenant Class-A office space, giving the building a third lease on life. The building is now the home of Ciminelli Construction Company, the group which rehabilitated the building in 1985, and several other tenants.

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