The original wing of the building was constructed in 1906 as a five-story, Chicago school style skeletal steel building sheathed in brown Roman brick with deeply set Chicago style windows, topped by a clock tower with Baroque and Renaissance style details.

Additions were made to the building in 1911 and 1924, including a 12-story tower section.

[4] By 1939, Sibley's was the largest department store between New York City and Chicago.

Located outside of the Sibley Building is Rochester's historic Liberty Pole Plaza,[5] a public gathering space[6] containing a large metal sculpture known as the Liberty Pole.

[7] The Liberty Pole has been a pillar of the Rochester Community for many decades and in many images the Sibley Building provides a backdrop to the metallic artwork, taking its place in a number of historic photos throughout the years.