The building was designed by noted architects John Burgee and Philip Johnson, partners influential in postmodern architecture.

Sometimes called a "twin gothic structure", for its pairs of spires, it is oriented North-South and East-West (as named on a plaque along the Windsor waterfront park).

[6] Project plans for a twin tower directly to the east, Two Detroit Center, were placed indefinitely on hold.

[10] Additionally, the international law firm of Clark Hill, PLC operates its headquarters on three floors of the building.

[14][15] In 2015, a full service restaurant, Townhouse, opened in the first floor of the Ally Detroit Center, situated on the corner of Woodward and Congress.