Originally built as a social club for Ponce's elite, it is currently used as the premier reception center of "The Noble City of Puerto Rico".

[3] The building, designed by Agustin Camilo Gonzalez in the Second Empire and Neo-Rococo styles, has a French facade and tones.

When built in 1922, under the sponsorship of Lucas P. Valdivieso,[2] it was actually the replacement quarters for Ponce's exclusive club, the previous one having been destroyed by a hurricane.

[2] The Old Casino de Ponce stands as a reminder of the wealthy aristocracy of southern Puerto Rico in the late 19th and early 20th century.

[11] From the architectural standpoint, the Old Casino is significant because in its structure the architect managed to incorporate the 19th century Second Empire, neo-Rococo and other architectural styles in concrete construction:"It represents a transitional point from the brick and stucco classical Spanish traditional construction to the modern, reinforced-concrete technology of the United States.

"[11] From a social and cultural standpoint, the Old Casino is significant in that it expresses to this day the lifestyle of the area's wealthy families during the early decades of the 20th century.

The lavish second floor ballroom was extensively used prior to WWII as the de facto meeting place for the most wealthy and influential families in Ponce and Puerto Rico.

Most of the building as it exists today is part of the original structure, the exception being a few of the ground level doors.

The other bays (1, 2, 4, and 5) on the northern facade consist of simpler, narrow, arch openings capped by hood-moulds and keystones.

[12] At the upper level of the same facade, the three central bays are articulated as wide, square openings with Tuscan half-columns within, supporting the lintel at either extreme.

Bays 1 and 5 are each articulated by a quoined surround and an angular pediment, supported by brackets and decorated with an ornamental relief tympanum.

At the ground floor, a wide, segmental arch opening with a hood-mould accesses secondary office space.

[12] In plan, the main entrance at the north facade accesses directly an ample stairway which leads to the upper level.

At this level two large rooms serve as ballrooms: a major open space along the west wall and a smaller reception area on the north.

Casino guests also have access to a spacious courtyard on the ground floor featuring a central water fountain.