Bordered by buildings housing financial institutions like the Bank of England, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the residence of the Lord Mayor, The Royal Exchange is an imposing landmark in London's financial district.
If the façade of the building looks familiar, it's likely because (like many other buildings around the world) it was inspired by the design of the Pantheon in Rome.
Its eight Corinthian columns with a tympanum at the top decorated with a pedimental sculpture (by Richard Westmacott) give it an elevated look, leaving little doubt that it's just another building housing some financial institution.
However, its current function doesn't exactly match its façade and surroundings. The building is one of London's top luxury shopping locations, and visitors to the city should definitely add it to their list of places to visit.
So, how did this building end up being a haven for luxury shopping? The answer may surprise you.
History
The Royal Exchange building as seen today, is actually a replacement. The original was conceived as a center for commerce in London by Sir Thomas Gresham. It was a neo-classical building, and Gresham was enough of a visionary to make sure that portions of the building were used for retail business. That considered, you could argue that it was one of the first shopping malls and inspired modern shopping malls in many cities today.
Sadly, the Royal Exchange has had more than its fair share of misfortune. Queen Elizabeth I opened the Antwerp Bourse-inspired original in 1571. It met its Waterloo during the Great Fire of London in 1669. A replacement was again destroyed by fire in 1838 during the period Lloyd's of London occupied the building.
Sir William Tate designed the present building, aiming to retain some of the original designs. After a period of disrepair, Aukett Fitzroy Robinsons (now Aukett Swanke) worked on a restoration project. That project gets the credit for the layout and facade present today. It also earned the 1992 City Heritage Award for building conservation.
Dining
Dominating the Royal Exchange courtyard, the Fortnum & Mason Bar & Restaurant is a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or business partners. The elegantly designed bar is alluring, and the surrounding upscale stores create a welcoming ambiance. Open for breakfast, lunch, early afternoon tea (hey, it's England. What do you expect?), and dinner, it is an Instagram-worthy location. You can also enjoy finely crafted cocktails at the bar after your meal.
Other dining options include authentic Argentine empanadas at Chango, healthy salads at The Salad Kitchen and The Libertine, which serves British and other European favorites from the vault beneath the building, from two private dining areas and a main restaurant.
Shopping
London is a shopping haven in general, but when it comes to luxury shopping, it's hard to beat 'the Big Smoke.' The stores at the Royal Exchange appear to be hand-picked to elevate the building's elegance. The beautifully designed courtyard also makes it difficult to resist spending a fair amount of time here.
For jewelry, you have world-renowned Tiffany & Co facing the Fortnum & Mason courtyard bar and family-owned Boodles, a respected jewelry store founded in 1798. Boodles has been the sponsor of Salon Privé Ladies’ Day for some time.
Fans of elegant timepieces will appreciate the presence of Watchfinder & Co, Omega, Bremont, and Mont Blanc. Lovers of fine leather goods can head over to the east side of the building to be helped by the good folks from Hermes.
If you're looking to expand your wine collection with a few rare gems, Oeno House is happy to find the right choice for you. Gentlemen in London for a business meeting can visit the Crockett & Jones store for the ideal oxfords to suit the occasion.
The Royal Exchange's history alone makes it a site worth visiting. Its marvelous interior design, abundance of opulent stores, and fine dining restaurants make it a must-visit destination.
