Sir Thomas Gresham played a pivotal role in the development of commerce by constructing the Royal Exchange, a remarkable building that represented the pinnacle of commercial architecture in its time. This establishment, influenced by the Bourse in Antwerp, featured 150 small shops, effectively creating one of the first shopping malls. However, its greatest significance lay in offering City merchants a sheltered space to carry out their transactions, helping them avoid the often unfavorable English weather.

Gresham is also linked to the economic principle known as Gresham's Law, which asserts that bad money tends to overshadow good money in circulation. Though its actual formulation by him is debatable, it has had a lasting impact on economic discussions. The Royal Exchange not only symbolized a shift in commercial practices but also highlighted the necessity for merchants to have a dedicated indoor space for trade, paving the way for modern commercial practices.