Completed in 1893, the five-story building's modest brick exterior conceals a splendid atrium inspired by a description of an AD 2000 commercial building in Edward Bellamy's futuristic novel Looking Backward. Bathed in diffuse natural light from a skylight roof, the atrium features lacelike wrought-iron railings, stair frames and open-cage elevators; red-oak trim and paneling; stair treads of pink Belgian marble; and walls of glazed yellow brick and Mexican tile. It is the oldest commercial building remaining in the central city.