Old Stock Exchange, Historical stock exchange in Grand Place, France
The Old Stock Exchange comprises 24 identical residences arranged in a square formation around a central courtyard displaying Renaissance design elements. The facades feature characteristic Mannerist details with regular window patterns and ornamental stonework that define each level.
Built between 1652 and 1653 during Spanish rule, this structure was created after King Philip IV approved the establishment of a merchant trading center. Architect Julien Destrée designed the building to serve as a commercial hub for the growing city.
The inner courtyard functions as a public marketplace where booksellers display their works and chess enthusiasts play throughout the day. This blend of commerce and leisure turns the historic structure into a living social space that reflects how locals use their city.
Located between Place du Général-de-Gaulle and Place du Théâtre, the site sits close to Rihour metro station for easy city access. The inner courtyard is freely accessible to pedestrians and offers ample space to sit and observe the surroundings.
Companies that funded restoration work received the privilege of displaying their colored coats of arms above the second-floor windows. These heraldic shields remain visible today as a record of who supported the building's preservation.
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