In 1882, Detroit draftsman Ernest Witbech inherited lot 81 of Section 8 of the Governor and Judges Plan, and it remained in the Witbech estate until 1963. Permit No. 68 was issued to architect Gordon W. Lloyd on Dec. 23, 1887, for the construction of this five-story brick building on the site.

Architecturally speaking, the building is Victorian Romanesque in style, characterized by the semi-circular arches of the fifth and sixth stories, contrasting textures of stone including the rough stone belt courses, patterned brick courses at the lintel or arched level of windows, decorative, carved capitals and corbels.

The building is articulated in three vertical bays on its front, north-facing facade that are divided by pilasters rising to the parapet. A highly decorative cornice divides the fifth and sixth story of the north and west elevations. The first floor has been altered significantly. The building is a near twin to another Lloyd design formerly located on Lamed Street, which was demolished for the expansion of Cobo Hall, now Huntington Place. As such, it is a significant example of Lloyd's commercial work.

Originally, the structure was a cigar factory, first for the Brown Brothers and later the United Cigar Stores factory.

In 1920, Detroit grocer Henry J. Smith leased the structure. Milford Golden bought the building in 1963, and it was altered in 1970 and 1971 in order to provide space for a pub, dental clinic and business school.

The building's interior was extensively restored and renovated in 2015 by Hannah-Neumann/Smith. Today, the building serves as a downtown satellite location for the H.W. Kaufman Group.