[1] The two storey brick hotel was constructed in 1906 to the design of prominent Ipswich architect George Brockwell Gill.

Gill emigrated from London and settled in Ipswich in 1886 where he commenced work as an architect for the firm of Samuel Shenton.

The skyline is highlighted with decorative gables to the Brisbane Street parapet which conceals a hipped corrugated iron roof behind.

The main entrance to the building is via the ground floor loggia which is heavily decorated with painted cement rendered arches, columns and balusters and secured with cast iron grilles.

[1] The first floor loggia has stilted arches of contrasting brickwork with columns, pilasters, keystones and other cement rendered elements.

The remainder of the facade is relieved with contrasting cement rendered dressings, sills, string courses, pilasters, entablature and pediment.

At the rear, the "back of house" functions are expressed on the exterior of the building to Waghorn Street by a step in the parapet and the change in window treatment.

[1] A timber framed cantilevered verandah with cast iron balustrade of a less elaborate detail is located on the rear elevation and overlooks the railway line.

[1] The entrance to the main stair hall has a fixed arched fanlight above the door with the words "Hotel Metropole 1906" etched into it.

Erected in 1906, the Hotel Metropole demonstrates a period of renewed building activity in Ipswich around the turn of the 20th century.

The Hotel Metropole has special association with the local community of Ipswich as a place of social activity since its opening in 1906.

It is also important as a prominent and characteristic example of the work of George Brockwell Gill, the Ipswich architect responsible for numerous significant domestic and civic buildings in the city.