The square was laid out in the 1920s when the French decided to destroy the old, unsanitary souks and dig into the streets to make the city center a salubrious and modern district. The square is now entirely pedestrian1. In the middle stands the Clock Tower built in 19342. The square is 500 meters from the port of Beirut. Six streets, including Maarad Street, give access to the square, to the north, to the west, to the south, forming a five-pointed star.