The original building, on the corner of Rue Sainte-Anne and des Jardins, was a house built in 1858 and designed by Charles Baillairgé.

It was built as a four-storey house, and was almost immediately sold to Queen's Printers George-Édouard Desbarats and Stewart Derbishire.

The hotel boasts a fine French restaurant, Le Charles Baillairgé, and a bar, L'Emprise, were renowned live jazz shows used to be held until 2006.

The main architectural interest of the building is its brick Art Deco façade, completed in 1927 and designed by Raoul Chênevert.

It also has Art Nouveau cast iron grilles and canopy, giving it a unique combination of styles.