Spotlight Tour: Inside the Barcalo Building

Step inside one of Buffalo’s most storied industrial landmarks: the Barcalo Building, birthplace of the iconic Barcalounger and a cornerstone of Buffalo’s manufacturing legacy since 1896. This Spotlight Tour will be led by Karl Frizlen, President at The Frizlen Group Architects, who led the redevelopment of the Barcalo Building together with Mike Masters, President of BRD Construction.

The massive brick Barcalo manufacturing complex once buzzed with the innovation that put Buffalo on the map. Founded by Edward J. Barcalo, the Barcalo Company produced a dizzying array of items from bed springs and hand tools to airplane parts and the recliner that became a household name. Now, join us for an exclusive Explore Buffalo Spotlight tour including a special opportunity to see one of the unique apartments. Throughout the tour you’ll find artwork by local artists that brings life and color to the building’s walls. Walk through more than a century of craftsmanship and architectural character as Karl Frizlen shares the story of the building’s transformation from Barcalo’s factory complex into a vibrant hub for living, working, and creating.

This is a rare chance to see the Barcalo Building with an exclusive tour of an apartment. Space is limited to 30 people. Meet at the building entrance on O’Connell Street near the corner of Louisiana Street. Come early to get a coffee from Sevens Cafe – and enjoy a drink at Frequentem Brewing Co. after the tour!

The majority of the tour is handicapped accessible with no stairs although the community room is only accessible by stairs.

Tour Procedures & Policies: 

• Space is limited on this tour and reservations are required, including for Explorer Pass members. Walk-ups without reservations cannot be accommodated. 
• Reservations close two hours before the tour’s scheduled start time (for example, reservations close at 8am for a 10am tour). 
• The Explore Buffalo docent for your tour will have a list of tour reservations for their tour; you do not need to print or bring any tour confirmation. 
• Interior photography is permitted. 
• Accessibility: The majority of the tour is handicapped accessible with no stairs although the community room is only accessible by stairs. Please contact us at explore@explorebuffalo.org or (716) 245-3032 if you plan to attend this tour and will require accommodations or if you have questions about accessibility. 
• See our FAQs page for our refund policy and answers to other questions.
• By confirming your reservation for any Explore Buffalo tour, you acknowledge and accept Explore Buffalo’s tour policies.