Former mining exchange

The former mining exchange, now commercial premises, was built in 1880 by James Hicks. It is constructed from granite ashlar, killas rubble and red brick, with limestone dressings.

The building is rectangular, extending to the west into the Buttermarket courtyard. It is designed in an eclectic Renaissance style, with one storey on the east elevation and a lower-ground floor to the west. The main elevation (east) is symmetrical and comprises three bays. A large, round-headed entrance is centrally positioned, with granite steps and a limestone architrave featuring set-in colonettes with foliate capitals. The arch has carved foliate panels within the soffit and a raised keystone. Above the arch is a dentilled cornice and a parapet entablature with a blind balustrade. A panel inscribed ‘MINING EXCHANGE’ is centrally placed within the parapet, above which is a segmental-arch topped with a large ball finial. Within the arch is a carved shield containing the Duchy of Cornwall crest and the inscription ‘ONE AND ALL’. The outer bays of the east elevation are narrower and built of red brick, each featuring a large, round-headed window with a keystone rising to a cornice, and limestone dressings. These windows have timber fixed casements, and the main entrance has timber double doors with fielded panels.

The north elevation adjoins the former Redruth District Bank. The south elevation is rendered on the first floor, where there are two segmental-arch headed windows with timber sashes. The ground floor features large granite quoins. The building extends west to adjoin the Buttermarket courtyard, with the west elevation abutting the courtyard’s northern range; the upper portion of this elevation is painted brick. A 20th-century shop unit has been inserted, extending into the lower-ground floor of the mining exchange.

The interior has been altered.