It was originally a U-shaped structure, but a 1926 addition designed by the firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White added a new wing to create a rectangular shape with a central sunlight well.

[7] Notable long-time tenants include the Colonnade Cafeteria, Seng Jewelers and Rodes Men's and Women's Clothing.

[8] It was owned by the Starks family until the mid-1980s when it was sold to an investment group, which resold the building in 1997 to Empire State Collateral.

The Starks building signed a number of new tenants during 2009, including an 11,500-square-foot (1,070 m2) Eddie Merlot's restaurant, part of a Fort Wayne, Ind.-based upscale steakhouse chain.

[citation needed] It is connected by a skyway to Fourth Street Live!, an entertainment mall adjacent on the North side.

[10] On July 2, 2007, the Cordish Company, developers of Fourth Street Live!, announced that it would expand the mall southward by leasing the first floor (street-level) of the Starks Building.