The building was constructed between 1936 and 1939 and was completed in 1940 as the British colonial government attempted to streamline the state's administration.

In Johor Bahru itself, it stood unchallenged as the tallest building in the town until the completion of the Merlin Tower in the 1970s.

The building formerly housed the Menteri Besar's (Chief Minister) office and the Johor State Legislative Assembly before both were moved to Kota Iskandar.

The reinforced concrete construction, with stone facing, is built on a metal framework that consists of 3,000 tons of structural steelwork which was fabricated in the Singapore workshops of United Engineers Ltd, who were also responsible for its erection in 1940.

[4] The Japanese used the building as a fortress and a command centre to spy on the British activities in Singapore.