I doubt I'm the only one who's come to this possible conclusion, but does anyone else think the CoW may have been at one time a Falmer building? The architecture is like nothing we've seen of other races. Further, to bolster my suspicions, look at the http://images.uesp.net/e/e4/SR-place-College_of_Winterhold.jpg and http://images.uesp.net/b/b1/SR-place-Auriel%27s_Chapel.jpg, While not being 100% spitting images, their structure work and materials in its design.

Does anyone else feel this could possibly be the last Falmer structure in Skyrim?

The only thing they have that looks similar is the stone. The architecture does not look falmer at all.

Well, the College did exist at least during the First Era, right? Arch Mage Shalidor who did all the Labyrinthian stuff back then so the building should at least that much old.

I wouldn't call it impossible. Architectural style has differences but nothing has prevented later generations from doing small edits like adding the large widow bearing the College's logo in the big tower.

Now that I think about it actually, I think it's even likely that CoW was a Falmer structure. It is very similar to the Chapel and given Skyrim's strong Falmer themes I wouldn't be surprised if Beth had dropped in such a thing. Wouldn't be the first time, I reckon, that they would put in to the game something mundane only to reveal it to be something more significant later on.

Mind = blown

You forgot the 'Not Sure' vote.

Oh Wait! It's the Hevnoraak vote isn't it!

All hail Lord Hevnoraak!

I can not remember where I read the College was created with Magic by Shalidor, it may have been Fan Fiction on the Lore Forum. I do not think it is a Falmer built structure due to the interior of the College, the framemork does not match known Falmer/Ayleid construction. It resembles the construction style used in Dawngaurd for Dimhallow Crypt

than any other building style in the Game.

Actually, I did forget, The Hevnoraak vote is for our sixy and benevolent Lord of Valthume.

There is only one logical answer to this question, of which the op wisely put forth in the poll selections. Well done mortal.

It's possible. And given the close proximity to Saarthal, could have contributed to the friction between the two sides. But there isn't enough info to really draw from. No doubt the Falmer lived in what Winterhold once was before it was "Winter-hold".

Interesting to think about though.

This^

It was built by early Nords before they split off into Imperials and the other human races.

Falmer made but Designed by Nords. I say that because The Nords had Falmer slaves build things like the Palace of the Kings, so it is possible they built the college too. The Nords used the stone from Falmer ruins to build their own things.

How? Look at the architecture of Ancient Nords, it is VASTLY different than what the College has. Even Windhelm, which as Micheal said, was built by Falmer slaves. If it looked remotely Nordic, sure, but this looks very intricate and very delicate yet strong. Ancient Nord designs are much more crude and sturdy designs. Even Ysgramor's tomb looks nothing like the College.