The building has served a wide range of different roles since its construction, and currently houses the university's English department.

University Hall was designed in Victorian Gothic style by Gurdon P. Randall, and is composed of Joliet limestone - the same kind used to build the Chicago Water Tower.

[2] The clock in the tower of University Hall was the gift of the Class of 1879; its movement was built by clockmaker Seth Thomas.

University Hall originally contained classrooms housing all Northwestern University classes, the main campus library, a chemical lab, a chapel, two society rooms and a fourth-floor natural history museum.

Over the years University Hall has been the home of the central administration, the engineering school, a cafeteria, and faculty offices.