The Butterick Publishing Building is architecturally significant as a good example of the early tall commercial building type with its Classical organization and detailing. Contextually, the building is an integral part of a group of early 20th century commercial buildings along the north side of Wellington Street West, west of Spadina Avenue, that contribute to the character of the King-Spadina neighbourhood as it developed as an industrial area in the early 20th century. The heritage attributes of the building are found on the exterior walls and roof with attention focused on the principal (south) facade. Rising six stories, the structure is clad with red brick and trimmed with stone. The four-bay south façade is organized horizontally by a Classical base, shaft and cornice, and vertically by brick pilasters that are channelled in the first floor and plain and tapered above. The first storey has a recessed entrance in the right (east) bay. The entry and the adjoining window openings (one has been converted to a doorway) are decorated with brick voussoirs. Above a cornice, some of the flat-headed window openings in the upper floors have been altered. The attic window openings are set flush with the wall. In the end (east and west) elevations, the openings are arranged symmetrically.