The decorative castle-like building was completed in 1893 to serve as the headquarters of the Erie county savings bank.

[2] Built of pink granite from Jonesboro, Maine, the ashlar masonry walls were backed with brick.

Although the exterior walls were load-bearing, the building had an interior steel framing system.

[3] The building was constructed on a lot within Shelton Square in which the "Old" First Presbyterian Church stood.

[2] During the building's construction Thomas A. Edison served as the consulting engineer in charge of electrical installation.