Stock Exchange, Antwerp

The Stock Exchange, Antwerp or Handelsbeurs (in Dutch) is a building in Antwerp, Belgium, which opened in 1531 as the world's first purpose-built commodity exchange. The architectural design of the Royal Exchange in London was inspired by the Flemish style of the Antwerp Stock Exchange building. The Stock Exchange has been described as "the mother of all stock exchanges". The commodity exchange fell into disuse in the 17th century, as following the Fall of Antwerp (1584–1585), Amsterdam had replaced Antwerp as the main trading centre in the Low Countries.

Following a fire in 1858, the building was reconstructed, and from 1872 once again served the purpose of housing a true stock exchange, the Antwerp Stock Exchange. In 1997 this stock exchange merged into the Brussels Stock Exchange (presently Euronext), and the building was once more abandoned and neglected. Following extensive restoration, the building is now part of a multipurpose events venue known as the Antwerp Trade Fair.