Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange is a commercial building located on Exchange Street in Manchester. It was rebuilt and enlarged for the fourth time on this site between 1914 and 1921 by the architectural firm Bradshaw, Gass and Hope. The building is constructed from Darley stone and features a slate roof with three glazed domes.

The structure has a very large, approximately rectangular plan situated on an island site, with an east-west arcade at the ground floor and a central atrium at the first floor. It is designed in a classical style and consists of four storeys along with two attic storeys. The ground floor is treated as rustic, featuring channelled rusticated piers. The first, second, and third floors are adorned with a giant Corinthian order, a massive entablature, and a modillioned cornice. The first attic storey has a cornice and a balustraded parapet, while the second attic storey is set within a mansard roof. A Baroque turret is located at the north-west corner, and domes are positioned over the other corners. The west side features a giant round-headed entrance arch with wide steps leading up to it. The first and second floor windows are set in giant round-headed arches, while the third floor and first attic storey have mullioned windows.

Inside, there is a very impressive trading hall, which now contains a modular theatre.