The Crescent Building was originally designed as a silent movie theatre by Bigg and Waltz at the height of the local film industry in the early 1900s and is the oldest remaining former movie house in Ithaca.

In 1931, the theatre was converted to the Crescent Dance Hall, and after numerous iterations, it was acquired by Chiang | O’Brien Architects.

The space has since been significantly renovated by reclaiming the large theater space for presentations, events, and client and staff meetings. Chiang | O’Brien operates their studio from the second floor of the building today.