Royal Exchange, London

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The Royal Exchange is a building in central London, built to house the London Stock Exchange, which now operates elsewhere. Today, the Royal Exchange contains restaurants and luxury shops. It was founded in the 16th century by the merchant Sir Thomas Gresham on the suggestion of his factor Richard Clough to act as a centre of commerce for the City of London. The site was provided by the City of London Corporation and the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who still jointly own the freehold. The original foundation was ceremonially opened by Queen Elizabeth I who granted it its "royal" title. Rebuilt in the 1840s, the current neoclassical building has a trapezoidal floor plan and is flanked by Cornhill and Threadneedle Street, which converge at Bank junction in the heart of the city. It lies in the Ward of Cornhill. The exchange building has twice been destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The present building was designed by Sir William Tite. The site also housed the Lloyd's insurance...

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