It was designed by New York City-based architects Babb, Cook and Willard and was built during 1890-92.

For many years the property had served as offices for Thompson and Peck, an insurance agency.

[1][3] According to HABS documentation, the building is discussed and illustrated in Vincent J. Scully, Jr.'s The Shingle Style (1955, Yale University Press).

The Charles Atwater House of 1890 at 321 Whitney Avenue, recalls McKim, Mead and White's William Low House of Bristol, Rhode Island, of 1887 in its low, spreading roof and banded fenestration with windows separated by panels; it was designed by the nationally renowned firm of Babb, Cook and Willard.

[1] Today, the Atwater–Ciampolini House serves as the law offices of Balzano & Tropiano, P.C., trial lawyers.