The building, completed in 1909, housed the Lazarus department store until 2004, one year before its brand was retired.

The West Town Street facade of the building is largely as originally built.

[4] In 1989 the City Center Mall was opened across from the Lazarus Building (at the current site of the Columbus Commons).

[2] The city department of development was also located here until the completion of the Michael B. Coleman Government Center.

Every Christmastime from 1963 to 1990, the store's 50,000-gallon water tower on its roof was lit with string lights to resemble a Christmas tree.

The tradition was postponed for two years during the 1970s energy crisis, and was discontinued in 1990 due to decreased visibility around modern high-rises.