Dublin City Hall, formerly known as the Royal Exchange, is a historical building in Dublin, Ireland. It was built from 1769 to 1779 and was designed by architect Thomas Cooley. The Royal Exchange has a large size and fine accessories, reflecting Dublin's status and prestige in the eighteenth century. The neoclassical building, which includes a central entrance hall, has a huge dome supported by 12 columns around which businessmen can walk and discuss business. In the 1950s, the Dublin City Council purchased the Royal Exchange and converted it into a city hall.