The Exchange.

Scarce engraving of Sydney’s original Stock Exchange building which is now the Royal Exchange Building 21 Bridge Street, corner Pitt Street.

A grant of land was obtained on Gresham Street, opposite Macquarie Place, and in 1853 plans were commenced for the construction of a permanent building. The design by J F Hilly, a well-known Sydney architect, was selected. Governor General, Sir Charles Fitzroy, laid the foundation stone of the new building on 25th August, 1857. This new sandstone building was four storeys high and designed in the Corinthian manner. It became a symbol of Sydney’s prosperity in the 1850’’s during the gold rush era. By 1857 the building was completed and was officially opened by the then Governor General, Sir William Denison, on the 30th October 1857. The Captains of the great Clipper ships traded their cargoes and transacted business from the floorboards of The Exchange. The share brokers moved in in 1871 and the Sydney Stock Exchange was born.

From the original edition of the Illustrated London News.