This was the last of the major provincial legislatures to be constructed and reminiscent of the large 19th century City Halls of the UK. Built between 1913-20, the building was designed by Francis Worthington Simon (1862-1933) after an architectural conmpetition open to all British subjects. Simon was a former student at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and this influence can be seen in the richly decorated exterior and ornate interior with axial planning. The building itself is made from Manitoba Tyndall limestone from the town of Garson. The stone has traces of fossils in it from the time this area was a tropical sea which provides a distinctive pattern. The building has four monumental facades: the main facade to the North; West to Osborne Street, South to the Assiniboine River; and the Eastern to Kennedy Avenue.

The famous Manitoba Golden Boy atop the 240 foot high dome represents eternal youth and the spirit of enterprise. This bronze statue is 13 and a half feet tall, and covered with 23 ½ carat gold, and is the work of French sculptor Georges Gardet. It has been recently restored.

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Above the entrance, the pediment displays six figures symbolic of Canada: A ship's wheel symbolizing the Atlantic Ocean; A half-kneeling man symbolizing progress; A female figure symbolizing Manitoba; The goddess Europa leading a bull, symbolizing Canada's European heritage; A man, woman and child symbolizing the colonization of a new land; A hand holding Neptune's trident, symbolizing the Pacific Ocean.

There are also symbols adorning the building that represent the Red River, the Assiniboine River, a pair of sphinxes, farmers planting, farmers harvesting, symbols of agriculture, art, science, industry, war, and peace. On the side entrances, the steps are flanked by important figures from Manitoba's past.