Commonly referred to as the ‘Gherkin’, due to its pickle-like shape, the iconic skyscraper at 30 St. Mary Axe spirals high above the City of London’s historical buildings and financial district. The Gherkin is 180 meters tall, rises forty-one storeys, and provides 76,400 square metres of office space. The building was commissioned by Swiss Re, one of the worlds leading reinsurance companies, and it officially opened in May 2004. The building’s innovative design by world-renowned architect, Sir Norman Foster, provided London with its first ‘environmentally progressive work environment’. The building’s eco-friendly design maximizes daylight and natural ventilation using half the energy typically required by an office block. Entry to the building at 30 St. Mary Axe has high-security levels and is strictly for use by employees, but the building’s plaza and Arcadian Gardens are open for the public to enjoy. During early phases of construction at 30 St. Mary Axe, the grave of a teenage Roman girl was unearthed. The remains were kept at the Museum of London during construction, and then were replaced at the base of the skyscraper before its completion.
- 30 St. Mary Axe
- The City of London
- www.30stmaryaxe.com
- Underground: Bank