The Korenbeurs was designed in 1834 by G.N. Itz. (1799 - 1869), city architect of Dordrecht during the period 1832 - 1867. In 1834, the Korenbeurs was built for 13.000 guilders. The construction price was paid back in instalments of 1,000 guilders by the city of Dordrecht to the grain merchants who had borrowed the money.
After paying off, the municipality became the owner of the building. It so happened that the grain merchants would have been satisfied with a wooden building, but the municipality insisted that the building be made of stone. The new Korenbeurs was inaugurated on 6 November 1834 by corn merchants and pound cutters. At the dedication, the building was hailed in the following poetic words: Wat Tempel rijst er voor mijn oog / En beurt het glazen dak omhoog / Verheft met pracht zijn trotsche tinnen / En siert de grijs Merwestad / Die veel sieraad had nodig van buiten en van binnen.
The Korenbeurs is one of the first designs by G.N. Itz to be realised, which is evident from the almost style pure classicism applied. The facade, with its fine detailing, has a clarity and freshness that makes it, after more than 175 years, one of the best neoclassical buildings in Dordrecht. Inside, high up on the east wall of the Korenbeurs, is a relief donated by the city of Dordrecht.
The Dordt city maid is enthroned on a pedestal with the city arms, the palm branch of fame in her hand. She is flanked by two seated river gods, Oude Maas and Merwede. In the 1970s, the building was made suitable for living/working by inserting columns separate from the outer walls, with mezzanines on either side, connected by a bridge. In this way, the character of the tall building with its glass roof is best preserved.
