[1] There became an increased need for an engineering-specific building on the Western campus ever since the establishment of the Department of Engineering Sciences in 1954.

After much deliberation, construction began in early 1958 and was finished by April 1959.

$500,000 of this cost was donated by Major General Alexander Charles Spencer.

After being presented with this large donation, the Western Board of Governors agreed that the building would bear his name.

There is some indirect evidence to suggest that this was done deliberately to help the new building and faculty develop their own 'character' and not be influenced by other already successful science-based programs, although this is debated speculation.