Working within the framework predetermined by the La Défense master plan, Henry Bernard designed the residential building with a more open interior space, similar to the Palais-Royal, in order to maximize views of the neighborhood.

One of the three buildings was constructed on stilts, in accordance with the original plans. The other two were ultimately built according to Henri La Fonta's design, without stilts. The Manhattan Square building offers more than 270 apartments.

Winner of the Grand Prix de Rome in 1938, Henry Bernard worked on the reconstruction of the city of Caen and, in 1953, won the competition for the Maison de la Radio in Paris. He went on to design other public buildings and urban plans. As an advisor to Paul Delouvrier on the master plan for the Paris region, the architect was supported by André Malraux in his reflections on urban planning for the capital.

At La Défense, Henry Bernard acted as an advisor on the Manhattan Tower project and, at the request of Cogédim, designed the Manhattan Square residence.