The building is situated on City Hall Square in central Copenhagen.

It was designed by the architect Martin Nyrop in the National Romantic style but with inspiration from the Siena City Hall.

It is dominated by its richly ornamented front, the gilded statue of Absalon just above the balcony and the tall, slim clock tower.

The latter is, at 105.6 metres, one of the tallest buildings in the generally low city of Copenhagen.

In 2007, the National Bank of Denmark issued a 20 DKK commemorative coin of the tower.