The history of what is now called the Koornbeurs begins in 1295 when Floris V granted the right to build a meat and bread house. Here it was possible to monitor hygienically responsible trade. In 1650, the largest part of the building above the cellar was demolished, after which, according to Dutch Classicism, the beautifully ornamented building as we recognize it today was built - of stone, as was made mandatory after the city fire in 1536.

After meat no longer had to be sold centrally due to advancing conservation methods, the building lost its function in 1872 and was converted into a corn market, which explains its current name.

Voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog werd de kelder ondertussen gebruikt als fietsenstalling, champignonkwekerij en militair commandocentrum, terwijl op de bovenverdieping de korenhandel inmiddels ruimte had gemaakt voor de handel in eieren en paardenmest. Na de Tweede Wereldoorlog betrok de reformatorische studentenvereniging SSRD de kelder, vanaf 1957 het gehele gebouw. Die studentenvereniging, SSRD, gaat tegenwoordig verder onder de naam Open Jongerenvereniging de Koornbeurs.