[4] Designed by architects Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners (GMW), construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years.

[5] Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the design was directly inspired by the similar, but much larger, Seagram Building in New York City, or for the theory linking it to the CIS Tower and New Century House in Manchester, England - although the similarity of aesthetics between the four buildings is undeniable.

These housed the Departments of Landscape, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Architecture, as well as the library administration, before the building's refurbishment.

[5] Noticeboards for long rehoused departments such as History and Social Science survive in the basement foyer area.

[14] The work was finished in time for the beginning of the 2011–12 academic year; the building is still used for teaching, with the top nine floors allocated to the university's School of Architecture and Departments of Landscape.