The building has many small details on the exterior, including electric bolts and a stylized bird above the main entrance.

When under construction, an unusual move was made by stripping a 1920s Northwestern Bell building on the site and the steel frame was incorporated into the new structure.

Demand increased rapidly, and in 1885, the central office had 775 lines and was moved to the second floor of the city hall building.

In 1890, the office outgrew its quarters in the city hall, with 1700 lines, so it moved to a building on Fourth Street between Nicollet and Marquette Avenues.

It was decided to add some space for the Minnesota administrative offices of the phone company, in a decision that was both economical and architecturally pleasing.

[3] Minnesota construction materials were used in the building, with a granite exterior from Morton on the first floor and limestone from Kasota on subsequent stories.