Treble Hall, one of the finest surviving examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in Hamilton, was erected in 1879. The building was designed by Hamilton architect, James Balfour, who was noted for other famous designs including the Detroit Museum of Art and the Hamilton City Hall of 1888.

Historical documentation from 1879 reveals that the family of Henry J. Larkin originally owned the site upon which Treble Hall was built. The family was responsible for the erection of the building, however no one is certain as to why the pedestal on the roof reads "Treble Hall, 1879" since the Treble family purchased the building much later. Even before construction began, tenders in the newspaper referred to the building as "Larkin Hall". It is unknown as to whether the name "Larkin Hall" was ever formally inscribed on the building. The only certainty is that the Treble family purchased the land and building in 1893.

As early as April 14, 1879, the following advertisement appeared in the Spectator: "Stores and offices to let in the Larkin Block, corner of King and John Streets. These first-class premises are now ready for occupation, with plate-glass fronts, water, gas and all modern improvements. Rents reasonable." In July of 1879, the Sacred Philharmonic Society of Hamilton was hired by Henry Larkin to give a free concert in the assembly hall of the then recently completed three-storey building.

According to descriptions the building shows the characteristic of the Renaissance Revival in the subordinate role of the flat brick walls, which serve only as a backdrop for the rich and rather ornate sculptures of pressed metal that decorate the window openings. The decorations tended to be classical in derivation and formal in presentation. This is shown through the pilasters, entablatures, brackets, cornices and pedestals. The one thing that is missing from the original façade is the fanciful ball finials that topped each window. The first floor always housed shops, while the second floor was originally used for offices. The third floor contained an assembly hall which seated 400, while an almost invisible fourth floor was only detectable by the tiny windows set into dormers. The storefronts of Treble Hall have changed little from their original design and the original pressed metal of panelled Corinthian pilasters survives.

From 1879 to 1893, the building was owned by the Larkin Family and was subsequently taken over by Samuel Treble. The building remained in the possession of the Treble family until the 1940s. When Samuel Treble died in 1899, his brother, John Treble, became owner of Treble Hall. In 1930, Arthur H. Treble took over ownership of the building and then passed it on to his executors.

The Treble family, in addition to owning Treble Hall, also possessed a men’s furnishing and clothing store called Treble’s, which was founded in 1865 by J.M. Treble. The main store was located in the central commercial district of King and James Streets while a branch store was opened at King and John Streets. The store imported immense shipments of men’s furnishings, hats, and coats from England, Italy, Germany, Austria and the United States. In late December of 1922, Treble’s was taken over by Sanders and Connell Limited. Harry Sanders and Harry Connell were both experienced haberdashers who had been associated with the Treble’s organization for more than twenty years.

Over the years, Treble Hall was occupied by an interesting mixture of professionals, labourers, and merchants, including barbers, printers, dyers, and architects. Some of the tenants that stayed the longest were James A. Cox, printer, who was a tenant for 40 years, and Robert Parker, dyer, who remained in the building for 18 years.

The upper floors were at one time turned into apartments but have remained vacant since the early 1960s. In 1979, the top floor of Treble Hall was closed and the middle floor served as a kitchen for the restaurant located at 85 King Street East.

In 1986, the building was given a facelift. Work crews were busy peeling over a century of grime off the neglected façade. The sandblasting of the brick and painting of the intricate pressed metal sculptures around the windows cost approximately $30,000.