Exchange Chambers (Exchange Buildings)

Exchange Chambers, also known as Exchange Buildings, is a Grade II listed building featuring a main symmetrical curving façade with advanced centre and ends facing Cambrian Place. The structure consists of three storeys, an attic, and a basement, constructed from Portland stone with channelled rustication at the centre, ends, and ground floor, a granite plinth, and red brick on the sides and rear.

The frontispiece has three bays, with a pilastered attic storey and an entablature that supports a clock aedicule adorned with swags, a keystone, and flanking volutes. Balustraded parapets connect to the outer bays, which feature keyblocked open pediments and attic thermal windows. A main modillion cornice is present, along with giant tetrastyle Ionic half-columns in antis over the main entrance. The three-bay loggia has a modillion cornice and a central open pediment displaying the Swansea arms, flanked by a pair of blocked columns.

The upper storeys are characterized by linked architraves, cross-windows, and aprons that are swagged on the outer bays. The ground floor has keyblocked arched windows, while the basement features grilles. The right-hand entrance has a cavetto arched opening with an inset lugged and blocked architrave, leading to double panelled doors beneath a tablet. A low screen wall to the right includes an arched entry under a 1914 keyblock, an arched fanlight, and double ironwork gates.

The symmetrical five-bay west façade mirrors the detailing of the main façade, with advanced ends. The centre and left-hand doorways are accessed by steps, featuring double panelled doors under tablets and balustered area parapets. A lower screen wall to the left corresponds with that of Cambrian Place.

Inside, the main entrance boasts a coffered ceiling and panelled pilasters, with a timber commissionaires box on the right. This leads to a one-storey exchange hall with cantilevered upper walls, which may have previously been open to the roof. The hall features pilastered and panelled dados, a round central light with a Chamber of Commerce panel, and half-glazed doors.