Built in 1849 by Tomás de Aquino, architect, for Alexandrino Antonio de Melo, 1st Baron do Cercal, the two story pink facade structure is one of the historic properties preserving Portuguese influence in Macau and located on Avenida da Praia Grande, in the St. Lawrence Parish.

The building used Pombaline style imported from Portugal and popular in the 18th to mid 19th Century.

While the edifice and interior architecture is distinctly European, the building contains many Chinese wooden furniture and attractive ceramics.

A large garden with various plants, fountains and trees are found in the rear of the structure.

Two days a year it is open to visitors to discover the interior and exterior of the government office.