The building dates from 1591–1594 and was built in Frysian renaissance style.

Above the main entrance the coat of arms of Friesland is shown, and along the leadlights on the first floor, another 27 coats of arms are placed.

It is a national monument and part of the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites.

[1] It is a rijksmonument since February 21, 1967, and is one of only three Frisian entries in the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites.

The Dutch House in Brookline, Massachusetts, in the United States of America, was built as a partial copy of the Franeker City Hall, and is itself on the US National Register of Historic Places.