The Royal Exchange
This remarkable building, surrounded by the Bank of England, Mansion House and the Stock Exchange, was founded as "a comelybourse 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 by offices while the courtyard was roofed over. Later, in 1892 the Gresham Committee filled the walls of the Ambulatory with sumptious paintings showing the rich and varied history of the City of London.
Today this Grade 1 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.
IMG_9568
The Royal Exchange
This remarkable building, surrounded by the Bank of England, Mansion House and the Stock Exchange, was founded as "a comelybourse 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 by offices while the courtyard was roofed over. Later, in 1892 the Gresham Committee filled the walls of the Ambulatory with sumptious paintings showing the rich and varied history of the City of London.
Today this Grade 1 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.
IMG_9568