[3] It was built by the firm of Thomas Emery's Sons,[4]: 7  Cincinnati's leading real estate developers during the 1880s.

[2] Both the Lombardy and the Brittany were built in 1885 according to designs by Samuel Hannaford;[2]: 7  at that time, his independent architectural practice was gaining great prominence in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

[4]: 11 Among the distinctive elements of the Brittany's architecture are the massive chimneys on each end of the building.

The exterior of the building is covered with decorative pieces, such as a comprehensive cornice with boxed pediments, plentiful brick pilasters and corbelling,[2] and prominent bay windows.

[1] Dozens of other properties in Cincinnati, including the Lombardy Apartment Building, were added to the Register at the same time as part of a multiple property submission of buildings designed by Samuel Hannaford.