This elegant building of undulating brick has an austere simplicity which is unusual for its period. Construction took place in two phases. The brick walls of the northern half, designed to support 16 storeys and a top floor completely in brick, date from 1891 (Burnham & Root), while the southern walls are not as thick and were built in 1893 (Holabird & Roche). On the façade facing Dearborn Street, lines of protruding windows alternate with plainer vertical windows.