When viewed from the northeast or southwest sides, it takes on the appearance of a stylized letter H. This shape serves as the logo of Hennepin County.

In early 2015 remodeling was done on the skyway-level public area, which now features new seating, high-top tables with electrical outlets, lighting and flat screen TVs.

It is connected by a tunnel to the Minneapolis City Hall, underneath 5th Street and the METRO Blue and Green lines.

The link to the Thrivent (formerly Lutheran Brotherhood) headquarters building was closed in June 2018 due to demolition of an adjacent parking ramp and planned construction of a new Minneapolis public service center.

There is a separate secure tunnel to the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (jail) located diagonally across the plaza.