George H. Washburn, who had opened his own architectural office in Burlington in 1898, turned to full-fledged Beaux-Arts Classicism for the city hall. Three-story-high engaged Corinthian columns declare the principal entrance front of the building. The suggestion of a portico is accentuated by paired Corinthian pilasters placed on each side. Except for a narrow planting strip in front of the building, its place within the downtown streetscape is identical to that assumed by any bank building.