Views from the Burwell include the Sunsphere, Krutch Park, Gay Street, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Kuwohi, Mount Le Conte, and the Tennessee River.

The Burwell was designed by the architectural firm of Richards, McCarty & Bulford and built by George A. Fuller Construction, known for the erection of early skyscrapers.

The Burwell lobby entrance is at 602 South Gay Street adjacent to the Tennessee Theatre, and the iconic theater sign is affixed near the southwest corner of the building.

[1] The steel frame structure was completed in 1907, after which Maud the mule was hoisted as part of the topping off ceremony attended by thousands of people.

[5] In 1912, the building was acquired by the Southern Railway Company, who established their Knoxville ticket office in the prior bank lobby.