[2] In its present form, it is an urban area, bordered by the A4119 James Street, a major road to the south, early twentieth century social housing to the north (on a site which had previously been used as a rail yard), historic commercial properties to the east on West Bute Street, and the historic Glamorganshire Canal to the west.

The canal was drained in December 1951 when a steam suction dredger crashed into the inner lock gates, forcing them to collapse, and all the water was released into the estuary.

It was initially transported using the Glamorganshire Canal, and later by rail on the Taff Vale Railway, both of which terminated close to the site of the square.

A number of docks were constructed to facilitate the movement of this coal, and the entire Butetown area of Cardiff was transformed to accommodate the new industry.

[4] The population of the area increased accordingly, and a grid pattern residential suburb for port-related workers was built on land which included the site of the square.

It was constructed in 1855 as a select residential enclave around ornamental gardens for merchants and sea captains, and originally consisted of 45 stuccoed three-storey town houses.

[10] Built to provide a dedicated location for merchants and traders to sell coal, it followed construction of buildings of a similar function in London, Liverpool and Manchester.

[8] The Coal Exchange closed in 1958, which in turn reduced the demand for commercial premises on the square and allowed boarding houses to be established.

The Coal Exchange building is of a French Renaissance style, and occupies a central position in the square, rising to five storeys.

[20] Mount Stuart Square has been home to a number of religious buildings, in addition to its function as a residential and commercial space.

It hosted acts such as the Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, Ocean Colour Scene, Stereophonics and Biffy Clyro.

[34] The Casablanca Club operated from the Bethel English Baptist Chapel from 1965 to 1985, attracting an audience from the diverse Butetown area and beyond, and recognised as one of the biggest centres of R&B outside of the US.

It hosted international artists Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Ruffin and Spandau Ballet, as well as Welsh performers Mickey Gee, Endaf Emlyn and Geraint Jarman.

[37] In 2016, filmmaker Nick Broomfield visited the square as part of his documentary Going Going Gone, which investigated the deterioration and heritage of the Coal Exchange building.

[38][39] In June 2017, the BBC broadcast a documentary entitled Saving The Coal Exchange, which looked at the development of the building into a luxury hotel.

[40] In September 2017, BBC Wales broadcast a documentary called Cardiff Bay Lives, which featured residents and businesses from the square.