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
Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton

Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton

It seems likely that this tavern and pleasure gardens took the name of a publican with the foreign name 'Pimlico'.  There were many places of entertainment nearby and the whole area became known as...

Place, Commerce, Food & Drink, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial
Hatchards Bookshop

Hatchards Bookshop

Claimed to be the oldest bookshop in London.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
Henry Moss
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Winifred Robinson

Winifred Robinson

Presumably a descendent of Charles Robinson.  

Person, Friend / family

1 memorial