The 13-story building originally contained 335 rooms and was designed by noted New York City architects Thompson, Holmes & Converse in 1925 and held in Italian Renaissance style.

After being vacant for nearly 20 years, the structure was turned into apartments for retirees called Jacksonville Regency House, but that operation ended in 1989.

[3] [6] The company restored many architectural features which included Palladian windows, terrazzo floors, and the dual grand marble staircases[4] leading from the lobby to what was the ballroom on the second level.

Elevators, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other infrastructure was modernized and a 237-space parking garage was constructed adjacent to the Carling.

In late December 2009, Vestcor requested a modification to their loan terms, citing three years of operating losses on the Carling and their other renovated building, 11 East Forsyth.

The company asked for three years of interest-only payments plus low interest loans to potential tenants for the mostly empty commercial space in their buildings.