What is the Gherkin in London used for?
What is The Gherkin? The Gherkin, otherwise known as 30 St Mary Axe, is one of the capital’s most famous buildings. It’s a feature of the London skyline and home to offices, a restaurant and a cocktail bar.
Why is the Gherkin famous?
They are known for their innovative approach to design that stands out particularly well against the more conservative nature of most of London’s buildings. The Gherkin is essentially an elongated, curved, shaft with a rounded end that is reminiscent of a stretched egg.
Can you go in the Gherkin London?
Err the Gherkin has never been open to the public, only on open house days in September. The restaurant is only for business use.
Who works in the Gherkin London?
The main tenants in the Gherkin, which was designed by Sir Norman Foster, are Swiss Re and Chicago-based law firm Kirkland & Ellis, along with solicitors Hunton & Williams. It is also used as a wedding venue. A Deloitte spokesman said the tenants would not be affected by the receivership.
Why is the Gherkin curved?
What is this? The top of the Gherkin’s panoramic dome is a curved piece of glass, the only curved piece in the dome. This piece is a nod to the iconic stained glass from the old Baltic Exchange whose destruction resulted in the building of the Gherkin.
Why is it called the Gherkin?
Officially named 30 St. Mary Axe, the building has become known by its more popular moniker, “The Gherkin” because of its supposed resemblance to that particular food. On the top floor – the 40th, in fact – there is a bar for workers and their guests, providing a panoramic view of London.
Why do they call it the Gherkin?
How much does The Gherkin cost?
| 30 St Mary Axe | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 28 April 2004 |
| Cost | £138 million (plus land cost of £90.6 million) adjusted for inflation: £243 million (plus land cost of £170 million) |
| Owner | Safra Group |
| Height |
Can you drink in The Gherkin?
The Iris Bar located on level 40 of The Gherkin is open to all and offers an extensive cocktail menu as unique as the setting, paying homage to the London sights and neighbourhoods that can all be spied below from the Gherkin’s distinctive position.
How much does the Gherkin cost?
What glass is used in Gherkin?
Armed glass
Armed glass is commonly used in the roofing of industrial building or other outdoor structures. It provides additional light from above, but its metal grill lowers overall visibility, such is the case of the Gherkin in London.
What does 30 St Mary Axe mean?
St Mary Axe is a small street near Bishopsgate in the Square Mile. It’s famous as the home of the Gherkin skyscraper — officially called 30 St Mary Axe. But where does this odd street name come from? The street takes its name from the church of St Mary Axe, which stood just south of the Gherkin site.
Why is it called St Mary AXE?
Its common name (also St Mary [or Marie] at the Axe) derives from the sign of an axe over the east end of the church. The church’s patrons were the Skinners’ Company. According to John Stow in A Survey of London (1603), the name derived from “the signe of an Axe, over against the East end thereof”.
Can you have a drink in the Gherkin?
What is the building in London that looks like a bullet?
30 St Mary Axe (previously known as the Swiss Re Building and informally known as the Gherkin) is a commercial skyscraper in London’s primary financial district, the City of London. It was completed in December 2003 and opened in April 2004.
What structure is known as Britain’s most expensive building?
| 30 St Mary Axe | |
|---|---|
| Construction started | 2001 |
| Completed | 2003 |
| Opened | 28 April 2004 |
| Cost | £138 million (plus land cost of £90.6 million) adjusted for inflation: £243 million (plus land cost of £170 million) |
Why is St Mary AXE so called?
How do you pronounce St Mary AXE?
In the song “My Name Is John Wellington Wells”, the lyric renders his address as “Number Seventy, Simmery Axe”; this reflects the fact that some Londoners pronounce the street’s name as “S’M’ry Axe” rather than enunciating it fully.
What city has an egg shaped building?
London
The Gherkin
| 30 St Mary Axe | |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Mary Axe London, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°30′52″N 00°04′49″W |
| Construction started | 2001 |
| Completed | 2003 |
What is the most expensive building ever built?
Abraj Al Bait, Mecca, Saudi Arabia – $15 Billion
The most expensive building ever built cost a staggering $15 Billion. With an incredible 120 stories, Abraj Al Bait is the costliest skyscraper ever built. Located in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Abraj Al Bait is within walking distance of Masjid al-Haram mosque.
What city has a cone shaped building?
The Gherkin
| 30 St Mary Axe | |
|---|---|
| Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap | |
| General information | |
| Type | Office |
| Location | St. Mary Axe London, United Kingdom |
Which is the richest house in the world?
Top 10 Most Expensive Houses in the World
- Buckingham Palace – $2.9 Billion.
- Antilla – $1 Billion.
- Villa Leopolda – $750 Million.
- Villa Les Cèdres – $450 Million.
- Les Palais Bulles – $390 Million.
- The Odeon Tower Penthouse – $330 Million.
- Four Fairfield Pond – $248 Million.
- Ellison Estate – $200 Million.
What is the most expensive thing in the world?
The most costly thing in the world is actually a substance called antimatter. The price of one gram is a staggering $62.5 trillion. Its scarcity and difficulty in production account for its exorbitant price. Antimatter is currently too expensive for practical use, but its potential is limitless.
What is egg shaped building in London?
| 30 St Mary Axe | |
|---|---|
| Architectural style | Neo-futuristic / Structural expressionism |
| Location | 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3 |
| Coordinates | 51°30′52″N 00°04′49″W |
| Construction started | 2001 |
Which celebrity has the best house?
After seven years in the making, Bill Gates’ mega-mansion ‘Xanadu 2.0’, takes the top spot at a whopping $125 million!