Century Tower is constructed from reinforced concrete, steel, terracotta, and limestone. At the time, the building was hailed as the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world. In order to achieve this height, the building used a construction technique known as the Emperger System. This technique made use of tapered cast iron cylinders for support and allowed the building to be tall, strong, fireproof, and flexible in the wind.

The Emperger System as demonstrated on the Melan Arch Bridge in Rock Rapids, Iowa ("HAER IOWA,60-ROCRA.V,1- (sheet 2 of 2) - Melan Arch Bridge, Emma Slater Park (Moved from Dry Run Creek), Rock Rapids, Lyon County, IALinks to an external site." by von Emberger is licensed under CC0 1.0Links to an external site.)

The skyscraper is considered Art Deco in style. This is first evident by the building’s shape. During the 1920s, several major U.S. cities passed zoning ordinances that required setbacks on buildings exceeding a certain height. This caused several skyscrapers built during the Art Deco era to feature a distinct shape with a wide base and a tall tower with several setbacks. Chicago was no different. The 1923 Chicago Zoning Ordinance caused Century Tower to mirror this Art Deco shape (See: History). Other features of Art Deco style are displayed through Century Tower’s small windows, emphasis on vertical design, and ziggurat topper.

Art Deco conventions are also seen throughout Century Tower's exterior decorations. Relief sculptures featuring Roman deities Mercury and Ceres are heavily stylized, which was common of Art Deco artwork. Foliate ornament is also seen in this section of the building as the deities are positioned on floral panels.

Other sculptures feature recurring patterns and motifs, another popular Art Deco feature. In particular, a pattern featuring the caduceus repeats across the building’s facade.

Elements throughout the building also feature geometric lines and shapes

The terracotta bricks that create the building’s facade form a unique element of the building’s style. Its reddish color lends the building a colorful appearance that makes it stand out from the largely colorless buildings that fill the Loop. The building is also the only Art Deco skyscraper in Chicago with an entirely brick-clad exterior. Additionally, the brick is used to emphasize the height of the building. It features a gradation of dark to light brick that creates an optical illusion and makes the building appear taller than it actually is. Even more, the technique creates the illusion that the sun is shining on the building even when it is cloudy outside; this was particularly useful given Chicago’s often dreary weather.

Several elements throughout the building evoke a unique Midwestern culture. For example, relief sculptures along the entrance that depict the history of commerce include representations of Native Americans.

Other sculptures include motifs of eagles and corn, both symbols of America and the Midwest.

Corn is featured prominently in the building’s stylized corn cop topper which pays homage to the common Midwestern crop.