[1] Because of its prominent position and its black-and-white architecture, the historian Simon Ward has described it as an "iconic" building.

[2] The building was designed by Thomas Lockwood, and built in 1888 for the 1st Duke of Westminster,[3] although by 1889 it was owned by Chester City Council.

[1] The building is in four storeys, including an undercroft, whose floor is below street level, and an attic.

At its corner is a flight of seven steps leading from the street to the row level above which is an octagonal turret.

On Bridge Street at the third storey level are decorative panels and a three-light window.