The majestic structure stands on land formerly belonging to the Jesuit Order, who erected a college and church on this site in the very centre of Old Quebec, in 1666. The college was demolished in 1877, to be replaced by the City Hall, built in 1896 according to plans by Georges-Émile Tanguay. Stylistically, Tanguay's building presents a curious blend of the Second Empire and French Chateau styles, embellished with Richardsonian Romanesque detailing.