"The Sage Block was designed by William H. Miller in 1884. Though the design draws on the Queen Anne style, it reflects Miller’s personal vision or interpretation of that style. Parallels have been drawn between this building and the Wainwright Building in St. Louis (1891) designed by Miller's contemporary, Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. Both use terra-cotta relief with elaborate organic motifs as decoration on a vertically oriented brick building. Miller maintained his office in this building for most of his career. When McDonald’s located here in 1977, they removed a one-story false front, cleaned the brick, and designed a storefront that fits the character of the Commons."

Historic Ithaca, DeWitt Park Historic District and Downtown Ithaca: An Architectural Walking Tour, 32.