The Exchange in St. Petersburg, one of the most impressive buildings at the Spit, long served as the location for the naval museum. This unique structure in the late classical style, with its beacon columns and numerous antique sculptures, is the central part of the architectural ensemble of the Spit.

The history of the Exchange's construction begins in 1703, when a wooden building existed on Vasilievsky Island. The new stone structure began to be erected in 1805. The project was developed by architect Jean-François Thomas de Thomon, who emigrated to Russia after the French Revolution. Before this, he worked as an architect for the brother of Louis XVI and was known as a talented artist. In Russia, he became a court architect and a professor of architecture.

Construction lasted five years, but the opening was delayed until 1816 due to the war with France. The project was overseen by the Minister of Commerce, Count Nikolai Rumyantsev. The royal family attended the laying of the first stone, but de Thomon did not live to see the opening, dying in 1813. His projects include the Grand Stone Theater in St. Petersburg and other significant buildings.

Before de Thomon, the project was handled by Giacomo Quarenghi, who proposed an oval shape for the building, but his design did not appeal to the emperor and merchants. In 1803, his building was dismantled, and construction was entrusted to de Thomon. There were rumors that he used someone else's sketch, but he is officially recognized as the architect.

The Exchange is located in the center of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. The building resembles an ancient temple with 44 Doric columns. Inside is the trading hall, and the facades are adorned with sculptures of Neptune and "Navigation with Mercury." The ensemble is characterized by symmetry and minimalism in decoration.

Until 1885, there was a port here, later replaced by a green area. The building is protected from flooding by a granite pedestal, and legend has it that gold bars are hidden in its foundation.

Before the Exchange stand two Rostral Columns, decorated with ship prows. Inside the columns are staircases leading to an observation deck. At the foot of the columns are sculptures symbolizing seas and rivers. The ensemble creates the impression of maritime gates, demonstrating Russia's power in trade.

The construction of the Exchange was accompanied by the improvement of the island, including the creation of Menshikov's estate and other significant buildings. The architectural style of the Spit would later be called early Alexandrian classicism. Today, the Spit is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Exchange functioned until the arrival of Soviet power, remaining the largest trading platform in the country. The building hosted exhibitions of industrial goods, and before World War I, it was modernized.

After the revolution, the building was used for various Soviet organizations, and in 1930 it came under the jurisdiction of the Academy of Sciences. In 1939, it housed the naval museum. During the war, the building was damaged but was restored in the late 1940s. In the 1950s, the column lights were converted to gas. In 2006, a floating fountain was built nearby, and the Exchange building was planned to be turned into a heraldry museum. Restoration continues to this day, and the lanterns on the columns are lit on holidays, such as Victory Day.