It consists of three sections separated by brick bearing walls, each 3.5 stories in height and three window bays wide.

A series of two-story granite piers or pilasters are topped with Egyptoid capitals, a rare example of Egyptian revivalism in Boston.

[1][2] The row was built by John Ballard, a merchant whose family had long been active on Bromfield Street.

[1] 20-24 Bromfield Street was nearly gutted by a seven alarm fire on July 7, 1982, which caused over $500,000 in damages[3] and destroyed several artists' studios, as well as the offices of the Gay Community News.

Plans to tear down the structure in the aftermath of the fire were approved by the city building department, but were halted after the Boston Landmarks Commission issued an order prohibiting its demolition.