140 West Main Street is a three story "L" shaped frame residence with three bays at the south main facade, the exterior is finished with yellow weatherboard siding and features cross bracketed panels at the protruding window bays. The mansard roof is broken up by several dormers, cross gables and roof turret, all surfaced with patterned slate shingles. The south front cross gable is bracketed with bargeboards and has a finial at the peak. Exposed, modified scroll brackets also line the building's roofline under the eaves. The windows include the two-over-two arched frame sash type at each dormer; two-over-two and one-over-one double hung sash type on the first and second story levels; and a combination of one and two story bay windows at the east, west and south facades,. Single door entried have rectangular panels; a transom appears above the main south door, a hip roof frame porch with chamfered columns columns, brackets and balustrade is located at the south facade; and enclosed porch with shed roof is attached to the east facade.
140 West Main Street was built as a Second Empire style single family residence in the l880's. The building was noted on Sanborn Insurance Survey Maps for 1915-1929 as a single dwelling; it was later remodeled on the interior to make apartment units. Many University faculty members resided there over the years including H. Clay Reed, Carl J. Rees, and George E. Brinton.
140 West Main Street has the distinction of being one of the largest and most elaborate homes located on West Main Street. The building's architectural appearance remains little changed since first constructed and represents a typical vernacular expression of the Second Empire style.
The house appears to be well maintained and continues to serve as an apartment house.