This 27-story Federal courthouse is adjacent to Guy Lowell's Municipal Courthouse and across from Cass Gilbert's U.S. Courthouse tower. The building matches the height of Lowell Courthouse, houses two lobbies, a jury selection room, support space, cafeteria, auditorium, and a ceremonial court under a vaulted roof. The tower, which aligns with Gilbert's courthouse, contains 42 courtrooms and judge’s chambers. A public plaza was created adjacent to the Lowell Courthouse. The modern design takes cues from the rhythm of the surrounding, classically-styled civic structures and keeping the same datum lines, material palettes and points of reference for the new structure.

Under the leadership of Edward Feiner, the GSA embarked on the innovative and widely copied Design Excellence Program after Kohn Pederson Fox designed the prototype project.