The Barracks Buildings were designed by Henry C. Koch, the same architect who designed Milwaukee’s beautiful City Hall, the Pfister Hotel and Turner Hall. He also designed the Soldiers Home’s Chapel, and the Ward Theater. The barracks buildings were designed in a straightforward Italianate style, as seen in the tall windows capped with arches. Their most outstanding architectural features are their two-tiered, open porches.

In 2014, the Barracks Buildings underwent rehabilitation including repointing, scraping and painting. The porches also underwent repairs and were painted.