The lot was originally acquired by William Leeder in 1833 but changed hands a number of times and eventually was subdivided.

In late 1935 Boas presented a proposal to the UWA board for an office tower with a two-level retail arcade.

[3] In September 1937, while the building was still under construction, the university held a competition to design friezes for the ground level retail arcade.

Western Australian artists George Benson, Clem Kennedy and William G. Bennett were the three winners of the competition and their works were included in the final construction.

[3] At construction the building featured a two-level retail arcade, a basement restaurant, an observation tower as well as several levels of office space.