Royal Exchange, 46-58 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow

The Royal Exchange, located at 46-58 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, is a significant building that combines elements from the late 18th century and the 19th century. The eastern end of the building was originally Cunningham Mansion, constructed in 1778. David Hamilton extensively altered and enlarged it for use as the Royal Exchange, completing the work between 1827 and 1830. A second attic storey was added by Hamilton in 1880. Sculpture by James Fillans adorns the building. It is constructed from cream and yellow ashlar.

The building is three storeys high, with a second storey functioning as a full attic above the main cornice. An additional attic is situated at the eastern end, and there is a basement level.

The east elevation features an imposing seven-bay Corinthian portico with a pediment, arranged as an octostyle with a giant order standing on a low plinth. The portico includes a full entablature, pediment, and a coffered ceiling within. Five tripartite doorways are flanked by windows, separated by panelled pilasters. A cornice serves as the cill course for five architraved and corniced first-floor windows.

The west elevation presents a three-bay design, with a wide, advanced bay at the centre. This bay showcases a segmental tripartite window defined by Corinthian column mullions and flanking pilasters. The entablature acts as the lintel, incorporating a shallow fanlight and Sonian incised detail in place of the architrave. Recessed outer bays feature round-arched windows at ground level and smaller windows above, flanked by giant Corinthian pilasters. A blocking course sits above a modillioned cornice, raised centrally with diminutive pedimented crowning details.

The north and south elevations extend nine bays to the west (built around 1830 by Hamilton) and five bays to the east (representing the original Cunningham Mansion), connected by a modillioned cornice. A Corinthian hexastyle screen is located on the west side, complete with an entablature and parapet, and large anthemion finials on the dies. Five advanced bays are present to the east, featuring a giant Corinthian pilastrade. A doorway is centrally positioned on the north elevation. The ground floor windows are corniced, while the first-floor windows have consoled pediments. Small windows with shouldered architraves are integrated into the parapet, alongside panelled dies displaying scrolls. A slate mansard roof, added in 1880, is punctuated by three segmental leaded dormer windows on each side.

Behind the portico at the east end stands a tall Corinthian peristyle lantern, built on a channelled masonry base and featuring projecting clock faces. It has an open crown and a shallow ogee dome.

The ground floor sash and case windows in the eastern bays utilize a small-pane, margin glazing pattern. The round-arched windows have plate-glass glazing, and the first-floor sash and case windows also feature plate glass.

The interior includes an inlaid marble vestibule with a coffered ceiling, a scagliola pedimented doorpiece, and an oval well with a decorative ironwork balustrade. A decorative leaded oval skylight illuminates the inlaid marble floor below. Decorative plasterwork adorns the aisled hall, characterized by massive Corinthian columns and an entablature, with flat ceilings above the aisles. Decorative cast-iron railings and pedestals, partly gilded, line the basement area.