of the credit for obtaining such a large building for the young city goes to Congressman (later Senator) Oscar W. Underwood, who obtained the appropriations for initial design and construction, and continued to seek increases as the size and cost of the building grew. The Post Office has moved out of the building, but the structure continues to maintain a prominent presence in the financial/business district of downtown Birmingham. Occupying an entire city block of 5th Avenue, between 18th and 19th Streets, the building is a local landmark and the historic symbol of the Federal presence in Birmingham. Architectural description The Federal Building and United States Courthouse is a four-story white marble building of the Classical Revival style. It occupies an entire block of 5th Avenue, between 18th and 19th Streets in the Central Business District of downtown Birmingham. The main elevation (south) includes a fourteen bay central colonnade flanked on either side by a projecting entrance pavilion and wing. The wings extend rearward so that the mass of the building creates a U-shape. The original building (1921) was two stories high, above a full basement. In the later 1920s a two-story addition was constructed appearing as a third level, slightly recessed behind a balustrade, and an attic below a hipped roof. The central colonnade is composed of fourteen free-standing Ionic columns. Each bay between the columns contains an arched window at the first floor. The colonnade supports an unembellished entablature with an unadorned architrave and denticulated cornice, which continues around the south, east and west elevations. The third floor is largely hidden at the central colonnade by a marble balustrade. The projecting entry pavilions flank the central colonnade. Each entry is approached by a broad flight of granite steps flanked by marble cheek walls with original cast bronze light standards. The arched main entries are delineated by engaged Ionic columns which support the entablature above the second floor level. The east facade is composed of a five bay colonnade at the center with flanking three bay pavilions. Six engaged Ionic columns comprise the colonnade, which is flanked by rectangular piers. The projections flanking the central recessed east pavilion are three bays wide. Copper clad dormers emerge from the roof - one over each end pavilion, and three over the center. Two bronze and glass entry doors appear at the head of short flights of steps at the northeast and