The structure, which was the headquarters of East Lothian County Council and was also used as a courthouse, is a Category B listed building.

[5] It was designed by William Burn in the Gothic Revival style, built by Messrs Balsillie in ashlar stone at a cost of £5,250 and was completed later that year.

[1][6] A monument, in the form of a bust on a well surmounted by an open crown, intended to commemorate the life of the Arthur Hay, 9th Marquess of Tweeddale was designed by David Rhind, built in red sandstone and was installed in front of the building in 1880.

[9] The government agreed and brought the change into effect as part of the East Lothian County Buildings Order Confirmation Act 1921, which received royal assent on 8 November 1921.

[10][11] Shortly after the council took ownership of the building they extended it to the west by an additional block, designed by J M Dick Peddie & W J Walker Todd in a similar style, which was completed in 1932.