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

Thomas Davies

Thomas Davies

The bookseller and author who, in 1763, introduced Dr Samuel Johnson to James Boswell at his house in Russell Street. He took to bookselling after failing as an actor.

Person, Commerce, Scotland

1 memorial
Dorsett Hospitality International

Dorsett Hospitality International

From their website: "Dorsett City is the perfect choice for business and leisure travellers seeking a 4-star hotel where British Charm meets Asian Hospitality" etc.

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Stenton Covington

Stenton Covington

A prominent local resident living in Gibson's Hill, he donated £3,000 towards the establishment of the Rookery in Streatham. He was also involved in saving Norwood Grove for the public. Stenton Th...

Person, Benefactor, Commerce, Gardens / Agriculture, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials
Rodney's Head pub

Rodney's Head pub

Records show Rodney's Head pub was at 4 Old Street in 1851. In 1876 this was rebuilt as shown in this drawing which is pretty much as we see it today. By 1895 it was known as Old Rodney's Head a...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Petticoat Lane Market

Petticoat Lane Market

By 1608 this street was known as Peticote Lane for the second-hand clothes, etc. which were bought and sold here, right on the boundary with the City. In about 1830 the street name was changed to M...

Place, Commerce

1 memorial

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Captain Charles Algernon Fryatt

Captain Charles Algernon Fryatt

Master mariner.  Born Southampton.  From Hellfire Corner : Captain of the Great Eastern Railway Company's steamer Brussels, he in utter defiance of the Germans continued to work the Rotterdam-Briti...

Person, Commerce, Execution

War dead, WW1
2 memorials
Corporation of the City of London

Corporation of the City of London

The municipal governing body of the City of London. Officially the 'Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London'. In 2006 the name was changed from just 'Corporation of London' to disti...

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration

181 memorials
Paternoster Square column

Paternoster Square column

EC4, Paternoster Square

It's certainly a vent shaft for the car park beneath, but this column, or rather the flaming urn, is apparently also a memorial, accordin...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Sophia Elizabeth Pither

Sophia Elizabeth Pither

Born Paris, née Bézier. Mother of Francis and Ernest.  1881 widowed and living with her two sons at 51 Thistle Grove, SW7. Dead by 1915.

Person, Friend / family

1 memorial
Phineas Pett

Phineas Pett

Master Shipwright. Born at Deptford Strond (a parish in Deptford). First Resident Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard, he designed and built several ships including the 'Prince Royal' which he built i...

Person, Craft / Design, Engineering, Transport

3 memorials