New York Curb Exchange (American Stock Exchange)

History and architecture

The New York Curb Exchange, later called the American Stock Exchange, was constructed in two phases, the western portion in 1920-21 and the eastern portion in 1930-31. Located on an L-shaped mid-block parcel bordered by Trinity Place and Greenwich Street in lower Manhattan, these interlocking structures were designed by Starrett & Van Vleck, New York City architects who specialized in office buildings and retail work.

Known earlier as the Curb and the New York Curb Market because early members traded stocks and securities outdoors, most memorably on Broad Street, this informal organization served as a proving ground for both young brokers and new riskier securities. The Greenwich Street building, completed in June 1921, marked an important turning point for the exchange. Not only was there a spacious trading hall, but the move indoors strengthened trust among investors and improved the organization’s status.

Designed in a simplified neo-Renaissance style, the Greenwich Street facade features a row of tall arched windows that illuminate the main interior, as well as classical details. In response to increased trading volume during the late 1920s, the building was expanded to the east in 1930-31, providing a more monumental identity on Trinity Place while reconfiguring the trading floor and providing new space for offices and meeting rooms. Compared to other buildings with a similar or related function, the expanded Curb stood out for its height and modernity.

A handsome example of the Art Deco style, the 14-story-tall structure faces Trinity Church graveyard and is clearly visible from Broadway. It features a prominent central entrance, multi-story windows, metal decorative reliefs that illustrate the types of stocks traded, and uninterrupted piers that accentuate the building’s height. Renamed the American Stock Exchange in 1953, for many decades it was a close rival to the New York Stock Exchange. A year after merging with a group headed by the NYSE in 2008, the AMEX ceased trading in February 2009.