American Stock Exchange
Why it's listed
Home to the American Stock Exchange since 1921, this Lower Manhattan building at 86 Trinity Place is the only headquarters the institution has ever occupied. The original gray brick structure, designed by Starrett and Van Vleck and built by Thompson-Starrett, was enlarged between 1929 and 1931 with a 14-story steel-frame tower and an Art Deco limestone front. Behind it, the Italian Renaissance trading floor keeps its round-arched rear windows, marble wainscoting, dentiled cornice and coffered ceiling. The Exchange grew from the curbstone brokers who traded in New York's streets from the 1700s onward, expanding sharply after the 1849 gold rush. They organized formally in the early 1900s and moved indoors in 1921. The market became a testing ground for young corporations, several of which later joined the New York Stock Exchange. It also developed the American Depository Receipt system, now used for trading foreign securities in the United States.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the Exchange as the second largest securities exchange in the United States and the best surviving symbol of outdoor curbstone securities trading in New York. The organization began as the street-based Curb Market and moved indoors in 1921. It served as a proving ground for new corporations and developed the American Depository Receipt system for trading foreign securities.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78001867, listed June 2, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 86 Trinity Pl., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | June 2, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001867 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Subject: 1849-present; Site: 1921-present |
| Architect / builder | Starrett & Van Vleck (architects); Thompson-Starrett (builder) |
| Architectural style | Art Deco or Modernistic limestone facade; Italian Renaissance trading floor |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Economics |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 16, 1978 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and the building is occupied; the upper floors are fully used by Exchange personnel and the trading floor remains in operation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Wall Street Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.70872, -74.01282 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78001867.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16961338
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.