[2] The site selected by civic leaders, on the west side of Charles Street, was occupied by a large number of small buildings.

[3] The new building was designed by Leonard Barnish and Spencer Silcock in the Art Deco style, built in Portland stone, and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Acton, on 7 November 1938.

The ground floor accommodated a series of shop fronts, which were protected by a long canopy, on either side of the openings.

[5] At that time the building also accommodated the box office for the sale of concert tickets for De Montfort Hall.

[8][9][10] A major refurbishment of the Charles Street building, carried out by Willmott Dixon at a cost of £14 million to a design by Franklin Ellis Architects, was completed in 2014.