The building itself is a three-story, 11-by-7-bay structure with a wing on the north, two small wings on the east and a larger addition from the exposed basement on that side.
It is faced with load-bearing marble blocks, laid as thick as five feet (1.5 m) at the basement level, on a concrete foundation.
At the top is a flat roof with a copper-sheathed dome in the center.

In the middle of the east (front) facade is a five-bay projecting portico.
Six round fluted Ionic columns support a pediment with plain entablature.
On the building itself 12 square smooth Doric pilasters divide the bays.
Above the main entrance is a relief of the state seal.
Both stories are set with narrow nine-over-nine double-hung sash windows.

Above the columns and pilasters is a plain frieze divided by a small molded cornice.
On the portico, the upper portion of the frieze has the legend "Court of Appeals State of New York" engraved in it.
Above it is another, broader, overhanging cornice, also found on the pediment.
The third story has the same nine-over-nine double-hung sash.
Above it is a smaller cornice and parapet.
In the middle of the roof is the dome, clad in stainless steel, with an oculus and gold leaf finial at the top.
The building itself is a three-story, 11-by-7-bay structure with a wing on the north, two small wings on the east and a larger addition from the exposed basement on that side. It is faced with load-bearing marble blocks, laid as thick as five feet (1.5 m) at the basement level, on a concrete foundation. At the top is a flat roof with a copper-sheathed dome in the center.
In the middle of the east (front) facade is a five-bay projecting portico. Six round fluted Ionic columns support a pediment with plain entablature. On the building itself 12 square smooth Doric pilasters divide the bays. Above the main entrance is a relief of the state seal. Both stories are set with narrow nine-over-nine double-hung sash windows.
Above the columns and pilasters is a plain frieze divided by a small molded cornice. On the portico, the upper portion of the frieze has the legend "Court of Appeals State of New York" engraved in it. Above it is another, broader, overhanging cornice, also found on the pediment. The third story has the same nine-over-nine double-hung sash. Above it is a smaller cornice and parapet. In the middle of the roof is the dome, clad in stainless steel, with an oculus and gold leaf finial at the top.
New York Court of Appeals Building