The structure was completed in 1927 and was the first building on the current City Avenue campus known as Hawk Hill.

For some time, the tower was the highest point from sea level in Philadelphia.

The building is named for Felix-Joseph Barbelin who served two separate terms as president of what was then known as Saint Joseph's College.

The tower overlooks the entire campus including Sweeney Field and the Haub School of Business in Mandeville Hall.

Statues and grotesques of heads of former presidents of Saint Joseph's are also located on the edges of the building.