As with many of the commercial buildings that were erected in the City of Saint John in the years following the Great Fire, the Pugsley Building provides a good example of the Italianate style. However, unlike most of these buildings, the Pugsley Building was constructed from brownstone as opposed to the usual red brick. The choice, decided on by the building's architect, John Dunn, was reminiscent of the contemporary architecture in New York and Chicago.

The Pugsley Building was owned by and named after the Pugsley family. The Pugsleys were among the leading Saint John families in the legal profession at the time.

Over its lifespan, numerous businesses have occupied the Pugsley Building. The longest tenure among these occupants was Michael Finn. Michael Flinn was a liquor dealer who had been business partners with Charles Patton. Following the destruction of their original premise on Water Street in the Great Fire, they relocated to this building starting in 1880. After Charles left the business in 1888, Michael operated it on his own until his death in 1904.

There were several other notable occupants of the Pugsley Building as well. In 1883, Michael Flinn shared the building with druggists William Hawker & Sons and the Halifax Banking Company. In later years, the General Insurance firm of Lockhart & Ritchie operated out the structure from 1909 to 1955, the tobacco shop of Arthur Fred Deforest from 1919 to 1969, and Fountain Restaurant owned by Maud Perry from 1924 until 1979.