A synthesis of (±)-cularicine is reported. 2-(2′-Benzyloxyphenoxy)-4,5-methylenedioxy-phenylacetic acid was converted in four steps to 6-benzyloxy-2,3-methylenedioxy-10,11-dihydrodibenz[bf]oxepin-10(11H)-one. A modified Pomeranz–Fritsch reaction was applied to this ketone to add the two carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom required to complete the carbon skeleton of cularicine. The norcularicine derived from this reaction was N-methylated with formaldehyde and sodium borohydride.