In 1925, at the peak of the Florida land boom, the $200,000 Allied Building was built, consuming nearly an entire block on Cass Street from Ashley to Tampa Street. Built as an arcade with stores opening to a central walkway inside on the first floor, with over fifty office spaces on the second floor, the new owners thought it a great location since the Cass Street bridge was being built. Upon its opening, traffic would flow into this new city corridor. Spaces were rented for $175 - $600 per month.  Restaurants, a beauty shop, retail shops, and businesses flocked to the new space.

The Great Depression hit Tampa in October in 1926, causing economic turmoil and forcing many businesses to close. Possibly, what helped the Allied Building stay afloat was the establishment of the re-employment and relief boards in the building, and the Knights of Columbus organization took over the entire second floor. The Hillsborough County Draft Board also operated here to assist with World War II. In 1942, as the economy stabilized, the Air Base Bus Lines operating between MacDill, Drew Field, and downtown opened.  In 1957, developers completed a $175,000 renovation, and the complex was renamed the Ross Building. Ten years later, redevelopment firm Grandoff Investments purchased it for $600,000, maintaining the government as the primary tenant. The building was leveled, and the Courtyard by Marriot was built in 1998.

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