Phase I of this mixed-use facility originally opened in 1978, with 1,400,000 square feet (130,000 m2) of office and retail space overlooking the Capitol following the closing and demolition of the Penn-Harris Hotel in 1973.

This included the restoration of ten 19th and 20th century buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and represent the city's oldest remaining retail establishments.

Major tenants include Verizon, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (including the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Attorney General), Harrisburg University, Temple University Harrisburg, Capital Area School for the Arts, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, and Salomon Smith Barney, Inc.

In addition, Strawberry Square houses an array of service retail, upscale fashion shops, jewelers and other specialty stores.

From 1988 until 2022, the atrium featured a 41-foot tall audio-kinetic sculpture by George Rhoads entitled the "Chockablock Clock" which was relocated to Shippensburg University to make room for a meeting space.