Soon after the 1918 union of Transylvania with Romania and the subsequent establishment of a Romanian-language university in Cluj, the idea of a building for use by teaching staff came into being.

The planned site were the land and building occupied by the old Hungarian theatre, which was in an advanced state of degradation and had come under the university's ownership.

In 1926, upon the suggestion of Emil Racoviță, the university senate discussed the matter, hiring an architect who drew up plans and a cost estimate.

Due to his prestige and political connections, he was able to persuade Prime Minister Gheorghe Tătărescu to come to Cluj.

The college was inaugurated in June 1937, in the presence of King Carol II, cabinet members and other local and national officials.