Designed by Ramos de Azevedo's Office and the architect Domiziano Rossi, the building, in the Neo-Renaissance style, was conceived to house the School of Arts and Crafts (Liceu de Artes e Ofícios). In 1905, the museum was inaugurated, initially featuring a small painting gallery.
The Pinacoteca comprises the Pina Luz, Pina Estação, and Pinacoteca Contemporânea buildings. Its headquarters, located in the Pina Luz building, is a Neo-Renaissance structure that has undergone several renovations over time. The most significant renovation took place between 1993 and 1998, based on a project by the architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, with the aim of adapting the building to modern museum activities.
The historic headquarters of São Paulo's oldest art museum was designated a protected heritage site in 1982 by CONDEPHAAT as a monument of historical and architectural significance.