It was designed by the Architect Richard Norman Shaw for the Ismay, Imrie and Co. Shipping Company, which later became the White Star Line.
The facade is constructed from white Portland stone and red brick.
During World War II the gable was damaged during a bombing raid but the damage was repaired and rebuilt after the war.
The President of the White Star Line was Joseph Bruce Ismay and his office was believed to be located at the bottom of the turret closest to the camera.
Ismay together with his secretary William Henry Harrison and his valet John Richard Fry boarded the Titanic on its maiden voyage at Southampton as First Class Passengers.
Ismay (aged 49 at the time) survived the sinking in collapsible lifeboat C. Both Harrison (aged 40) and Fry (Aged 39) died during the tragedy. Fry's body was never found but Harrison's body was recovered and he was subsequently buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
On 10 May 1934 Cunard and the White Star Line merged and the office was subsequently closed.