In 1872 a design competition was held to encourage the construction of buildings of architectural interest in de Brouckere. Twenty winning applicants were selected and commissioned to give prominence to this Brussels junction. The Parisian contractor Jean-Baptiste Mosnier was responsible for taking the original plans through to completion.

The French influence of Mosnier and his workers is still evident on the square. Many of the buildings were erected in stone, common in France at the end of the nineteenth century, whereas brickwork was more usual in Brussels. Several original facades survive today.

One of the great hotels of Brussels, the Hotel Metropole is situated on the south side of the square. The 1900-10 interior is splendidly gilded and can be seen either through the doorway or by pretending to be a guest. Café Metropole next door is open to the public; here the lavishly ornate surroundings date from around 1890.