Royal Exchange, London

Easily the most impressive and refined among the Bank's structures is the Royal Exchange, originally constructed in 1570 through the lavish financial support of the extraordinarily wealthy businessman, Thomas Gresham (notice his gilded grasshopper adorning the rooftop). During that era, the term "stock" referred to goods that could be loaded onto or unloaded from ships on the Thames. Over time, Londoners began to assemble here, transitioning from trading live goats and chickens to exchanging slips of paper representing "futures." As trading grew, so did the need for money changers and subsequently, bankers, leading to the flourishing of London's financial district.

The present-day structure, featuring an imposing eight-column portico and convenient steps for the lunchtime crowd, is the third building to occupy this historic site and was constructed in the 1840s. Today, the Royal Exchange is home to upscale shops catering to those with expense accounts. Nevertheless, it's still worth taking a look inside the inner courtyard, which boasts a beautifully tiled floor, a glazed roof, and half-columns designed in three classical orders. The stylish Fortnum's Bar and Restaurant occupies both the courtyard and the mezzanine level, offering a vantage point to admire a series of frescoes depicting the City's history.