The Florentine sculptor Romano Romanelli publicly attacked the original proposals by government architect Mazzoni in editorials in the city's main daily newspaper, La Nazione.

The plan of the building, as seen from above, looks as if it were based on the fascio littorio, the symbol of Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party, many documents give this explanation, but, that shape was forced by the pre-existing station.

The heating plant and control tower, platforms, other facilities and details such as benches and baggage shelves were all designed in a contrasting style by the official Ministry of Communications architect, Angiolo Mazzoni.

While it is of a "uncompromisingly modern"[3] design, the use of pietra forte (a hard sandstone) for the station's stone frontage was intended to respond to and contrast with the nearby Gothic architecture of the church of Santa Maria Novella.

The interior of the station features a dramatic metal and glass roof with large skylights over the main passenger concourse, which is aligned perpendicular to the tracks and acts as a pedestrian street.