[3] Construction on the building began in 1841, with the initial design featuring a two-and-a-half-storey Georgian stone warehouse and a hipped roof.

[4] During this period, the Scottish-born architect David Stirling was tasked with planning the building's redevelopment, while George Blaiklock handled the construction.

[1] The property was acquired in 1900 by William Dennis, owner of the Halifax Herald, when T. & E. Kenny, Wholesale Goods, moved locations.

[5] The building was renovated with offices to serve as the headquarters for the Herald, a Halifax newspaper company, under the ownership of Dennis.

[6] The Dennis Building connected to the Canadian Pacific Railway's telegraph system, providing communication across Canada.