Built in 1928-1929 for $1,000,000, the Pigott building was the first sky-scraper in Hamilton and one of the first in Ontario. Hamilton architects Bernard and Fred Prack used Art Deco / Gothic Revival style (which was popular for a short time in New York) to make this building unique. It was called the most beautiful building of Hamilton and the most interesting in the province. Flanked by the Sun Life Building, its strong vertical lines, elongated middle and stacked segments drew viewers’ eyes upward. 210 feet up and 18-storeys above the pavement, the latest and most sophisticated methods of construction were used by Pigott Construction Co. to build this beauty that would carry their name into the next generation. Parts for the building were brought from all over the world. Glass was brought from Belgium while steel window frames were bought in England. Many of the other parts came from the provinces of Canada. The exterior was decorated with tyndall limestone sheating which covered the steel skeleton. The interior was richly decorated in the traditional manner with marble and fine tiles. The lobby was painted by church decorators with rich colours of red, blue, and gold. Also stained glass windows were installed depicting scenes of interest relating to the building. Search lights, which revolved every 30 seconds, were installed on the rooftop to notify people of its presence as far as 80 miles away with its two million candles beam.

Three months before the completion of the building, two thirds of it was rented. Doctors, architects, engineers, and other businesses were in a hurry to move in their new luxury offices. The Bank of Montreal took the entire ground floor of the building the same day it found out about the fire in the old Bank of Montreal office. They had to cope with only half of the space for some time since the other half was not finished yet but the next day the bank opened at the right time at the new location serving customers. Many people, including the elevator man Willie Thompson, remembered it as a bright time for the building. The windows were always clean, the floors shining, many staff members always hurrying around to make sure that everything looked its best. Joseph Pigott, the head of the Pigott Construction Co. at the time, took a real pride in his work.

The Pigott building continued to be a popular office building all the way until the 1970s when it was sold to a new owner, Capital Development Company. In the early 1980s, the steel and limestone structure changed hands several times, almost becoming a hotel. There was a suggestion to build a luxury hotel in the Pigott and Sun Life buildings for a long time until the City and Henry Lang, the Head of the project, finally agreed on the terms. It was supposed to bring many jobs to Hamilton. It was a new business opportunity. But all the work on the hotel stopped when 14 men working on demolishing the interiors were not paid, and it was clear that Mr. Lang would not be able to afford the project. The city did not want to be left with two empty sites marking the downtown streetscape.  As a result, the buildings were left standing. Many pieces of the Pigott building, including doors, marble, and door handles were sold at that time. The elevators were shut down to save on electricity. The Pigott building, vacant and torn apart, was a sorrowful sight for everyone. Only Willie Thompson stayed behind, living in a small room in the basement, walking around the empty building on his own. Willie vowed that he would stay in Pigott building forever, even after he died.

The Pigott building was designated as a property of historic and architectural value or interest, and was officially designated historically significant in 1984. The designation also mentioned the Commercial Centre, which was on the site before Pigott building. In 1986, Mr. Pupolin, plumbing and heating contractor, purchased the building hoping to restore it and protect it under the Heritage Act. He was willing to invest ten million dollars to bring the building back to life. The construction of condominiums and a parking lot containing 110 spaces began. 

Mr. Pupolin sold the building in the middle of reconstruction to the Toronto Development Company because it was clear that a more substantial investment was required.   This company would complete renovations, provide management and maintenance, and lease the units.

When the building was sold, it was discovered that the historically important stain glass windows, massive revolving doors, and fancy woodwork, were taken from the building.   It is surmised that the loss occurred sometime near the beginning of  the hotel construction project.  The loss of these decorative features was great, both for the building as well as for the city. The stained glass windows were later found in a second hand antique shop, and purchased for $12,000.  They are now back in place decorating the Pigott building.