Since its inception in 1822, Bombay Samachar changed hands many times. In 1933, the newspaper was taken over by the Cama family who has remained the publisher to this day. The Bombay Chronicle was started in 1910 by Sir Pherozeshah Mehta. From 1913-19, it was edited by B.G. Horniman after whom the Horniman Circle is currently named.
The facades of the Circle buildings were designed by James Scott, Chief Engineer of the Elphinstone Land & Press Company, established in 1858 to undertake reclamation projects. The foundation stone was laid in 1864 for the Bank of Bombay, which was the first building developed in the Circle. The remaining buildings were completed by 1873.