Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Cotton Exchange

Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 14, 2018

1. The Cotton Exchange Marker

Inscription. Built in 1923 by the well-known architect Donn Barber, this building was revolutionary in many ways. Instead of placing the trading floor at street level, Barber placed it at the top. He canopied it with a large skylight and three-story windows, affording natural light, fresh air, and giving commanding views of the ships that carried King Cotton into New York City. The barrel vaulting of the lobby was designed by the famous Gustavino Tile Company, and Barber’s bold geometric symbols for cotton adorn the building. In 1984 the Cotton Exchange was the first major building in the Financial District to be converted into residential use as a co-op and it is now in The National Register of Historic Places.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 40° 42.293′ N, 74° 0.573′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. It is at the intersection of William Street and Stone Street, on the right when traveling north on William Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Hanover Square, New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden (a few steps from this marker); India House / British Memorial Garden in Hanover Square

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Delmonico's Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 57 Stone Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 South William Street (about 300 feet away); First Printing Press in the Colony of New York (about 400 feet away); First Precinct Police Station (about 400 feet away); Stone Street Historic District (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Asser Levy’s Home (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, December 4, 2021

2. The Cotton Exchange Marker

The Cotton Exchange image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 17, 2018

3. The Cotton Exchange

The marker is to the right of the entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on April 23, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on December 19, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.