I traded work w/ a coworker who has carpentry skills.  My skills only go as
far as hanging a picture on the wall and that is a stretch for me.

The thing is built out of a 2x4 wood framing.  Shelves and sides are covered
w/ 1/2" plywood and then the whole thing is wrapped in drywall.  All the
corners and edges are reinforced w/ bullnose.  The center section is wired
w/ electrical outlets; the right section has an extended outlet passing
through.  The three pieces must weigh close to 600 lbs all together.  Guy
who built it says he'll use metal studs next time.

The fact that it is made to look like existing walls means that we had to
smooth out all the drywall by covering the seams and screwholes w/ mud
(drywall compound) and then sanding it smooth.  That is nasty business and
fills the room with dust which settles on everything.  We limited the mess
by putting up a plastic curtain.  Then the thing was textured which is
basically performed by flinging mud on it with an airtool.  Last bit of work
is to install moulding around it's base, cut the carpet and reinstall
over carpet tack strips and put on another coat of paint.  Then wire the
home theater system; run wire to the rear speakers; put carpeting around
some boards for the feline tenants...