The old secretariat building was designed and built by architect Col. Henry St Clair Wilkins and planners Sir Henry Bartle and Edward Frere during 1865-74. It is described as a building in the Venetian Gothic style. The Old Secretariat is one of the ancient structures in Mumbai located on the eastern side of the Oval ground (Pope Paul Maidan), comprising of a tall tower on a central staircase , the structure has arcaded verandahs and some fine stone carvings.