As designed in the 1880's, the original building was an outstanding example of the Romanesque Revival style of architecture. Much of the building's architectural importance, however, derives from a turn-of-the-century alteration that transformed its style into High Victorian Gothic. The construction, begun in 1907 and completed in 1912, doubled the size of the building to nearly 100,000 square feet. The construction so transformed the building that only a trained eye can discern the outlines of the 1880's structure. The building's rectangular shape was converted to a "U" configuration, the original structure now forming the north arm of the building. The roof was raised to accommodate a fourth floor and the main entrance shifted from State Street to Third Street. The building's golden-tan facade is made of rock-faced Berea sandstone, trimmed with smooth-dressed sandstone quarried in northeast Ohio. Of the 60 finials and 200 exterior ornaments, no two are alike. President William Howard Taft journeyed to Columbus to rededicate the building.