Experience Buffalo’s architectural brilliance at Doors Open Buffalo

Discover the Ellicott Square Building at Doors Open Buffalo 2025

Every September, the heart of Buffalo opens up, giving locals and visitors a chance to experience the city’s architectural treasures through the Doors Open Buffalo event. Among the most iconic stops on this self-guided adventure is the magnificent Ellicott Square Building, a must-see for anyone passionate about design and history.

Ellicott Square Building

Step inside Buffalo’s legendary Ellicott Square Building this September for Doors Open Buffalo 2025 and witness a masterwork of Italian Renaissance architecture in action. Built in 1896 by Daniel Burnham & Co., Ellicott Square’s lobby is an immersive display of marble, mosaic, and glass—a central court that rivals the great palaces of Rome or Florence.

Feature, from the intricate mosaic floors laden with ancient sun symbols to the marble staircases winding skyward, speaks to Buffalo’s ambition and grandeur at the turn of the century. Originally conceived as one of the world’s largest office buildings, Ellicott Square introduced mixed-use space long before its time—where locals could bank, dine, and even visit the gym or barber, all without leaving Main Street.

While exploring Ellicott Square, don’t miss the chance to also visit the historic Hotel at the Lafayette—another Doors Open Buffalo favorite! The Lafayette is a treasure of French Renaissance and Art Deco influences, and offers a glimpse into Buffalo’s grand hospitality of the early 1900s.

Hotel at the Lafayette

For this year’s Doors Open Buffalo, seize the opportunity to explore spaces typically closed to the public. This is your chance to trace original stone staircases, notice details preserved for over a century, and imagine the bustling life of downtown Buffalo throughout the ages—all free!

Mark your calendar for September 20, 2025, and let Ellicott Square be the highlight of your Doors Open Buffalo adventure. Learn more about the tour and participating sites at Explore Buffalo’s official page.