Building    From 1566 

Royal Exchange

Categories: Commerce

The Royal Exchange was established by Thomas Gresham in 1566, following his, and his father's, favourable experiences of the Antwerp Bourse as a place where merchants could arrange credit and loans and so trade effectively.

The first building was lost in the Great Fire but replaced by 1669. A fire insurance company, Royal Exchange Assurance, was based in this building which is depicted on their insignia. Despite this, another, more localised, fire destroyed the second Royal Exchange building in 1838. Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the third (and last, as of 2007) on 17 January 1842 and two years later Queen Victoria presided at the opening ceremony. This building is by Sir William Tite. If you want to know about the sculpture in the pediment, by Richard Westmacott, son of Richard Westmacott, then Ornamental Passions is the place to go.

Renovated in 2001, the Grade 1 listed building is now, it seems, mainly occupied by seriously expensive jewellery shops. IainVisits has (illicit) photos. 2017:Londonist visited the building and didn't like it very much.

Murals inside painted in 1892 by Lord Leighton and Frank Brangwyn. 2016: Londonist reports that these are at risk.

2023: Londonist's roving reporter found some statues from the building, the one destroyed in the 1838 fire, in the garden of a hotel in Swanage.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Exchange

Commemorated ati

Prince Albert - Holborn

Prince Albert, dressed as a field marshal, doffs his hat to the passing traff...

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Other Subjects

Andrew Gibb

Andrew Gibb

Ship-repairer and philanthropist. Born in Glasgow. After serving his apprenticeship in shipbuilding, he came to London to ply his trade. He was deacon of St Mark's Presbyterian Church in Greenwich,...

Person, Commerce, Philanthropy, Scotland

1 memorial
Manze's pie and mash shops

Manze's pie and mash shops

The Manze family came to Bermondsey from Ravello in Italy. Initially they were ice-merchants, and then ice-cream makers. Michele Manze branched out and opened their first eel, pie and mash shop in ...

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink, Italy

2 memorials
The Cavendish Hotel

The Cavendish Hotel

There is evidence of a 'Miller's Hotel' on the site in the early 1800s which was renamed in 1836. It was purchased by Rosa Lewis, who expanded it by combining four buildings into one. During both t...

Building, Commerce

1 memorial
Chris Blackwell

Chris Blackwell

Businessman and record producer. Born Christopher Percy Gordon Blackwell in Westminster.

Person, Commerce, Music / songs

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Galton and Simpson

Galton and Simpson

Wrote Steptoe and Son, and others.

Group, Humour, TV & Radio

2 memorials
Bloomsbury Group - Gordon Square

Bloomsbury Group - Gordon Square

WC1, Gordon Square, 50

Here and in neighbouring houses during the first half of the 20th century there lived several members of the Bloomsbury Group, including ...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Sir Henry Cole

Sir Henry Cole

Born Bath. Secretary of the Department of Science and Art. He originated the custom of sending Christmas cards. In 1840, having worked on the introduction of the first postage stamp, he had a card ...

Person, Education, Politics & Administration

5 memorials