Virtual Tour of an Unfinished Space?

csebes Uncategorized November 6, 2026 | 0

Short answer? No.

Most businesses want to proudly show off their wonderful restaurant, theater, or event space. Everything should be placed perfectly, cleaned up like it's their grand opening. But there are times when you might need to show off a space that is far from done. This is one of those occasions.

Actually, two occasions.

Going Back in Time

Back in 2023, I'd built A Better Virtual Tour for a recently remodeled theater in Sparta, New Jersey. A Better Virtual Tour is what I call my really cool 360º virtual tour product. You can see his tour by visiting Box Office Cinemas, Sparta, NJ

A few weeks ago, the owner reached out to me again and asked if I can create a tour for *unfinished* buildings.

Of course I can.

In less than two weeks, I would have two enormous projects completed and uploaded for him.

The first was the currently-under-renovation theater in the Center City Mall in downtown Paterson, New Jersey. It would require 129 panoramic photos (panos) connected together for the virtual walk-through. Much of the lighting had been removed or disconnected, so my video lighting was needed in several areas. No big deal. This needed to be created post haste as the owner has investors and designers in India that need to see what's going on.

Going Further Back in Time

The second location was nothing short of amazing. It was the 99-year-old theater in Maplewood, New Jersey. Opened in 1927, this building was originally like a local Radio City Music Hall. It showcased movies and live performances in one huge theater. In 1988, renovations started to convert the building into multiple movie theaters and reopened in 1990. However, having been closed since and because of the pandemic, it's now undergoing another renovation.

Due to it's current state of renovation, I was able to see much of the old structure, hardware, architecture, and decorations that have been hidden for more than half a century. I was even able to capture areas that have been boarded off for at least that long.

This place required over 100 panoramic photos, also about 95% of the areas needing my supplemental lighting. This was hindered by much of the electrical outlets not working, forcing me to drag 200-plus feet of extension cords to rooms that haven't had power in decades.

The most interesting part was the "attic area" that housed two 10-foot-tall fans that would've exhausted hot air from the theater at a time before air conditioning was a thing. Only lit by two cell phones and a flashlight, my camera was able to capture their looming presence.

This was very different from the tour that I created for The Barrymore Film Center in 2023. Still as thrilling. Maybe even a bit more with a history on a whole different level.
Uploaded to my server, these virtual tours will allow the owners, designers, architects, and builders to collaborate with one another, no matter where in the world they are.