The Municipal Complex's architecture is a notable example of the City Beautiful style made popular by Daniel Burnham, an architect from Chicago, Illinois, in the early 20th century.

Constructed between 1911–1913 and originally known as "The Auditorium," Symphony Hall is known for its excellent acoustics and Greek Revival architecture.

It is also home to Broadway-style theatre, children's programming, internationally recognized speakers, and the yearly induction ceremony for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as numerous concerts and performances.

The city, at the time an industrial powerhouse in New England, financed construction of a grand municipal complex.

Former Mayor John A. Denison and President William Howard Taft officiated the opening ceremonies.

On December 8, 1913, as Taft dedicated the Springfield Municipal Group as "one of the most distinctive civic centers in the United States, and indeed the world."

Symphony Hall remained in comparatively good shape, due to the money coming in from performances.

In 2006, the city's Finance Control Board authorized a new capital investment plan, which included money for renovate the entire Municipal Group complex, mostly prominently the Campanile.