The statue in front of the hall recalls the legend of the founding of Antwerp--the giant's hand being thrown into the Scheldt River by Brabo.

The design of the Stadhuis is attributed to Cornelis Floris and Willem van den Broeck, who may have been assisted by advisers from outside the city. The building was inaugurated in 1565. When Antwerp was sacked in November 1576, the Stadhuis, the courtyard of which had served as an artillery arsenal, was gutted by fire; it was completely rebuilt in the original style in the succeeding years. The interiors were redone in the nineteenth century; the interior courtyard was roofed over (with a glass skylight) and provided with a monumental state staircase leading to the so-called 'schoon verdiep' on the first floor. Frescoes were added by Henri Leys and others.