South Hall exhibits the stylistic traits of the Second Empire Style, although modified in its decorative detail. The mansard roof is enlivened by banks of dormers with ornamental hood moldings, oiel de boeuf windows, iron cresting, and numerous chimneys and exhaust flues for the former chemistry labs. Beneath the bracketed cornice on the North and South facades are low relief panels of cast iron coated with sand paint depicting the state's native fruits and grains. The East facade, now the most visible, has a central block with wings marked by separate roof forms and exterior chimney breasts. A modified form of fluted cast iron pilaster reinforces the buildings corners and marks the division between the wings and central block. A variety of window heads and moldings are used throughout the building. The molded, cast iron windows and spandrels strengthen the horizontal division between the first and second floors. The ground floor is treated with a rusticated stone base.
The main entry stair to South Hall originally faced west, but was removed to the eastern facade after the construction of Wheeler Hall. The structure of the porch, wood painted to simulate stone, was replaced in 1997 with glass fiber reinforced concrete. The entrance porch has segmental arches and square corner supports surmounted by a balustrade with urn-like finials. Stairs descend to the right and the left. Overall, the building is detailed in a lively, eclectic manner with such notable features as satyric heads anchoring the tops of the downspouts to the walls.
The interior of the building boasts 25 foot ceilings and wood wainscoting throughout the spacious hallways. Doorways have generous wood molding, and the central stairway is surrounded by a magnificent wood banister. This central stair originally connected all four floors, but more recent fire codes required modification. In 1968, in celebration of the University's centennial and under the direction of Prof. Kenneth Cardwell, the building was renovated. At that time, the stair between the second and third floors was blocked and stairways in enclosed shafts at either end of the hall were added.
Finally, South Hall is the home of the smallest bear on the UCB campus, which often causes flocks of tourists to stare at the building, led by eager blue-yellow clad tourist guides.