Built during the Great Depression—a period of high unemployment and falling prices—the building's four-million-dollar budget was underspent, resulting in higher quality materials and craftsmanship than initially expected.

The exterior consists of smooth Indiana limestone in the Art Deco style known as "American Perpendicular."

The building was designed by Thomas Ellerbe & Company of Saint Paul and Holabird & Root of Chicago, drawing inspiration from Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.

[4] Other notable features include woodwork crafted from twenty-three different species of wood and five types of imported marble.

Murals were painted by John W. Norton, and the six bronze elevator doors were created by Albert Stewart.