The large white building, built in 1886–1887 and one of the oldest in the city, was designed in a neo-Renaissance style by the architect Johan Nordquist. Because it was not made of wood it was one of the few buildings to survive the Umeå city fire of 1888. The first few years the house was used as a school for educating Volksschule teachers. The building housed the principal's residence, classrooms, an auditorium and the gym. The building was surrounded by a small park.