 The arches are supported by brick piers while the ceilings are composed of Guastavino tiles.The arcade was a compromise design because the city wanted to expand the street during the building's construction, while Walker wanted a larger base.The arcade was called "one of the most comfortable shopping fronts in New York City" when the Barclay–Vesey Building was completed, but because it was so dark, the arcade did not receive too much pedestrian traffic.