The construction of the building began in 1914 following the design of architect Manuel Cifuentes Gomez,[1] and was officially opened in 1916.

The building features a stained glass dome whose eight lower sections were designed by painter Pedro Subercaseaux.

These depict eight topics of, current and past, national relevance: The Homeland, The Chilean Navy, The Mining, The Education, The Prayer, The Sciences, The Communications and The Harvest.

[1] During the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, confrontations occurred between the military forces and the GAP members who were defending Salvador Allende in La Moneda.

[2] Members of the bodyguards of the president were detained at the Edificio de la Intendencia and then were killed or disappeared after the coup d'état.