In the past, the building was the centre of administration for the state of Kedah Darul Aman. The official launching of the building was on 11 Syawal 1393 equivalent to 8 September 1973 by HRH Tuanku Haji Abdul Malik ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, who was then the acting Sultan of Kedah. It is located adjacent to the Balai Besar building, at a field in the Alor Star town.

Initially, the building was the venue of important offices such as the office of HRH the Sultan, the Regent, the State Government Secretary and the office of State Treasury. Previously, these offices were located at the secretariat building, also known as 'opis dalam', that is a two-story building situated at the back section that was used since 1929. There is a Conference Hall in this building for members of the house of representatives of the State of Kedah. This was previously located at the Balai Besar since the foundation of the State Council in 1905.

On 15 April 1993, all important offices here including the State Legislative Council were moved to Wisma Darul Aman that is situated 1 kilometre from the town centre and at a junction between Jalan Tunku Bendahara, Jalan Sultanah and the Darul Aman Highway. While Wisma Negeri was the location of several other significant offices such as the Treasury and the Audit Office, the Land and Mines Office, and the Kota Setar District Office.