Public prosecutor Verner Palander had this building built on a magnificent site on the southern side of the Central Square. The original design for the building was made by architect Birger Federley, who later had to change the floral ornaments to comply with the Finnish National Romantic style (depicting Finnish fauna). Palander and Federley eventually disagreed about the design of the building, and so Palander hired building contractor Vihtori Heikkilä to finish the job. Heikkilä changed the original, symmetric façade by elevating the western tower. The beautiful plaster ornaments were designed by German artist Willy Baer, who also designed the lead-glass windows in the main stairwell.