The City Hall building was the second structure to be erected within the Daniel Burnham municipal grouping plan, known as the Civic Center. (The Courthouse was Che first. Federal Building the last.) The main entrance to City Hall faces west and fronts on the landscaped Civic Center Plaza.
Italian Renaissance in architectural character, major exterior materials of granite with copper spandrel panels and parapet walls. The building is 80 feet tall, as follows: 5 floors at the 1st Street elevation, 4 floors at the 2nd Street elevation, and 4 on the avenue, with the main entrance facing on the Daniel Burnham designed Civic Center Plaza.
Ground Floor (1st Street entrance): This floor houses the Police Department, mechanical equipment, storage rooms, and tunnel to the Courthouse. Major materials include terrazzo floors, ornamental plaster cornices at ceiling, and travertine marble wall at the elevator lobby. Marble stairways lead to the 1st floor.
First Floor: The major significance of this floor is that it houses the main building entrance and Hall of Mayors, and faces the Civic Center Plaza. The walls are lined with travertine marble with a botticino marble base imported from Italy. Floors--terrazzo; ceiling--ornamental; plaster cornices--coffer pattern.
Second Floor: Central interior ceiling--terrazzo floors with integral base.
Third Floor: Significant features include the courtrooms and Council Chamber. The Council Chamber has oak wainscoting with ornamental coffered ceiling. The courtroom is lined in oak paneling with ornamental coffered ceilings.
Fourth Floor: On this floor is located the Mayor's Office and Mayor's Reception Room. The Reception Room is elegantly detailed in wood and plaster at the walls, with a coffered ornamental ceiling from which hang four crystal chandeliers.