It was designed by Alfred B. Mullett and constructed from 1885 to 1887, by John H. Howlett.

In 1907, the ninth story was added as the Interstate Commerce Commission Hearing Room.

[2] Tenants included the Interstate Commerce Commission, Woodrow Wilson's law firm, Daniel C. Roper, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[3] The Sun Building was restored in 1983 by architects Abel & Weinstein.

[4] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 27, 1985.