The Federal Building was designed by the architectural firm of Starks and Flanders in the French Renaissance style. The façade of the basement and first floor are covered in California Granite. The upper levels are faced with terra cotta and brick.

Starks designed the Fox Senator Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre, both demolished in the 1970's. Among his surviving buildings are the Fresno Bee Building, the Sacramento Elks Temple, and the C. K. McClatchy High School.