There are also streets named Jalan Lapangan Banteng Utara (North), Selatan (South), Barat (West) and Timur (East), surrounding the square.

A causeway spanned west-east in the center divide the square into two parts; the northern parts which hosts sport facilities which includes football field and athletic tracks, and the southern half which host a park with half-circle shaped pond with illuminated fountain and open air theatre.

[2] The square is surrounded by important buildings; former Daendels' palace, the Witte Huis (White House), today Indonesian Ministry of Finance occupy the eastern side, Jakarta Central Post Office on the northern side, Jakarta Cathedral on northwest corner, Istiqlal Mosque also on northwest corner, Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs on southwest corner, and Hotel Borobudur occupy the whole southern side.

It was the site of a statue to Jan Pieterszoon Coen who won control of Batavia, also the Lion column of Waterloo memorial (both are demolished).

[3] Governor General Herman Willem Daendels originally intended to have the government centralized in Waterloo Square and had a palace built there.

However the plan wasn't carried out by his predecessor and the construction was delayed and the mansion of van Braam in Rijswijk became the residence of the governor-general.

After the Revolution and the Independence of Indonesia 1945-1949, the Waterlooplein square was renamed by Sukarno as "Lapangan Banteng" which translates as "Buffalo's field" in Indonesian.

Flona Jakarta is a flora-and-fauna exhibition, held annually in August at Lapangan Banteng Park, featuring flowers, plant nurseries, and pets.

Between 2017 and 2018 the square underwent a major renovation, which adds a half circular pond equipped with illuminated fountains, and an open-air theater.