Trivia Advent Calendar

[L Verge]

I'm stumped because this building does not look all that old to me. Was it really around in the Lincoln era? Those 8 over 8 window panes are unique to me. 6 over 6 was more prevalent in the 1800s, and later renovations of buildings favored 4 over 4.

Given the "brooding" clue leads me to believe that the building had a gloomy or sinister purpose?