The building was originally built as an Opera House in 1870 at a cost of $25,000 by a group of investors incorporated as the Washington Hall Association. It was used as a theatre until 1900.

In 1901, Adolph Bloom hired Petaluma architect Brainerd Jones to remodel the building for use as offices. Jones combined elements of the Eastlake and Beaux Arts styles in the sheet metal facade.

The opera house is the only surviving building with a sheet metal facade of this size and ambition.