Erected in 1889–1890 to a design by R. H. Robertson, it has a facade of masonry with terracotta detailing, and contains an interior structural system made of metal.

The Lincoln Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983,[1] and is also a New York City Landmark.

The site of the Lincoln Building was initially part of a farm owned by Henry Spingler (or Springler).

[2][6] The completion of the park led to the construction of mansions surrounding it, which were largely replaced with commercial enterprises following the American Civil War.

[3][6] Despite this, the Spingler family continued to own the land under the western side of Union Square until 1958, leasing it out to various people.

[3] The site, at the northwest corner of Union Square West and 14th Street, was highly sought-out because it was considered to be part of Broadway "for all practical purposes".

The northeast and southeast corners of the building contain three-story colonettes that span the second through fourth floors, which are topped by foliate capitals.

The ninth story contains a loggia with rectangular windows each separated by two terracotta spiral columns, while the attic contains a ovolo molding.

Montgomery Schuyler, writing for Architectural Record, said that he appreciated "the picturesque features in which [Robertson's] other work abounds",[26]: 217  but noted in particular that the Lincoln Building's many horizontal layers "confuse the principal division".