[1] The six-story building covered a whole block and its construction was supervised by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr., the time and motion study pioneer.

The developer was the unusual Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr.,[3] who became famous for being the central character in the book "Cheaper By The Dozen.

The architects specified that hundreds of 20-foot (6.1 m) hardened concrete piles were to be driven in to allow the soft ground to take the weight of the (estimated) two million bricks required to construct the building.

The warehouse's stock consisted of many items, including ammunition, knives, wires, and even dog collars.

[5] The company had used an aggressive system of business where it aimed to buy up its suppliers so that it had the choice of best machinery and they could give priority to their needs.

The plans required city authorities to grant additional tax breaks and to make land available for parking.

[9] Plans evolved to move the hotel inside the historic building and for a 60-foot illuminated guitar to adorn the roof of the structure.