It is in the favoured Edwardian Baroque style and constructed with a steel frame clad with granite at the base and Accrington red brick and orange terracotta.

Fairhurst's huge buildings are "steel-framed and built to high-quality fireproof specifications".

[5] Lancaster House shares a common plinth and eaves with its neighbour, India House and is connected by an ornate, two storeys tall circular Art Nouveau wrought iron gate with a pendant lamp.

The corner entrance below currently provides access to a public house named O'Sheas Irish Bar.

It was extended in June 1985 to include an area bounded by Whitworth Street, London Road and the above viaduct.