Representative of the Beaux Arts style, the Academic Building is dominated by its colossal Corinthian columns, pilasters, and heavy entablature with a frieze embellished by garlands and decorative motifs. A rusticated pattern appears upon the stuccoed brick exterior, and an open stairway connects porches at each floor level.

Two buildings were joined by a colonnade to form the present structure. The Ivy Building, constructed 1831-1832, was built as University's library. A new library, often referred to as the Old Library, was built between the Ivy Building and Broad Street from 1859-1862. In 1903, the two were connected by an elaborate Corinthian colonnade, designed by Professor Charles Morton Strahan. When the library moved to into a new facility in 1904, the Academic Building was renovated to house administrative offices.