RE
HISTORY
This remarkable building, surrounded by the Bank of England, Mansion House and the Stock Exchange, was founded as ’a com bourse for merchants to assemble upon’ by the wealthy London mercer Sir Thomas Gresham. So impressed was Queen Elizabeth I by Gresham’s achievement that, on 23 January 1571, she visited it and declared it must be called the Royal Exchange.
In addition to its trading floor and offices, the original building also enjoyed an upper floor of over one hundred popular and lively small shops, modelled after the New Exchange in Antwerp.

After the Great Fire of London in 1666 the Exchange was twice rebuilt. In 1667 Charles II laid the foundation stone for a building designed by Edward Jerman, while the present building, designed by Sir William Tite, was opened by Queen Victoria in 1844. The site was enlarged and the magnificent Corinthian eight-pillared portico you now see was created. At this time the shops disappeared to be replaced completely by offices while the courtyard was roofed over. Later, in 1892 the Gresham Committee filled the walls of the Ambulatory with sumptuous paintings showing the rich and varied history of the City of London.

Today this Grade listed building has come full-circle. In 2001 the Royal Exchange was extensively and sympathetically remodelled with the result that today it is once again an appropriate home for many of the world’s finest merchants.
Under one roof all that is beautiful and stylish is freely available to buy. No doubt Sir Thomas Gresham would be delighted that, after so many centuries, his unique vision has once more been fully realised.

Royal Exchange
TRADING SINCE 1571

The sign is at the entrance of the Royal Exchange, the place is today used as a shopping center.

The building was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image

The entrance where the sign was photographed was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image
Next to the sign is a map of building Click for a larger image

The place also won the City Heritage Award for 1992, as can be seen on the sign on the other side of the building
PRESENTED BY THE CITY HERITAGE SOCIETY
AND THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF PAINTERS - STAINERS

CITY HERITAGE AWARD
1992
Click for a larger image