The brick building was designed by architects Frank Packard and David Riebel & Sons and built in 1917, in a prominent location near Franklin County Memorial Hall, where conventions were held.

The hotel closed in the mid-20th century, and it held the Nationwide Beauty Academy from 1960 to 1974.

Dormitories held female students for Nationwide and about six other public and private schools downtown.

The Seneca became home to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from 1976 to 1987.

[3] The former hotel was renovated from around 2005 to 2008 at a cost of $21 million, including funds directed by the Ohio State Department of Development and the City of Columbus.