[2][3] Construction on the building, designed to house multiple federal offices and store goods, began in 1848 and didn't finish until 1881 due to redesigns and the American Civil War.

[7] Located a few blocks from the Mississippi River, the great waterway that enabled New Orleans to become an important port city, the U.S.

[7] In 1916, the building underwent major interior renovations following the move of the post office and courts to a new facility on Lafayette Square.

Custom House retains its original design, which includes modified Greek and Egyptian Revival elements.

The immense four-story building occupies the full trapezoidal downtown city block bounded by Canal, North Peters, Iberville, and Decatur Streets.

The majority of the building is constructed of brick sheathed in gray granite from Quincy, Massachusetts; however, the entablature material is cast iron.

The cast-iron entablature contains widely spaced triglyphs (three vertical bands) in the frieze and dentils (small square blocks) in the cornice, and supports a triangular pediment above the central portico on each facade.

Near both ends of each facade is a slightly projecting bay composed of four modified Egyptian pilasters supporting the entablature.

Over the entrance at the North Peters Street end of the hall are sculptures depicting founder of New Orleans, Sieur de Bienville; General Andrew Jackson; and the pelican, the traditional symbol of Louisiana.

Recent GSA restoration efforts have successfully recaptured the historic appearance of the building, exposing original components such as vaulted ceilings and replicating missing or deteriorated interior elements and finishes, such as the skylight over the stairs.