What is the nickname of London 30 St Mary Axe?
The Gherkin
The Gherkin, otherwise known as 30 St Mary Axe, is one of the capital’s most famous buildings.
Why is 30 St Mary Axe 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.
Who built the 30 St Mary Axe?
Norman Foster
Ken Shuttleworth
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)/Architects
Since its completion in December 2003, it has become one of the UK’s most distinctive buildings and a symbol of 21st century London. The building was designed by the architect Norman Foster and Arup Group and was constructed by Skanska.
Who occupies the Gherkin London?
The Gherkin, one of the most distinctive buildings on London’s skyline, has been bought by a Brazilian billionaire. Joseph Safra is reported to have paid more than £700m for the 180 metre tower, which is officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, its street address.
What is a nickname for a London skyscraper?
Western Europe’s tallest building toyed with a number of names and nicknames — London Bridge Tower, the Shard of Glass, Shard London Bridge — before settling down on simply The Shard. Its pointy form resembles a glass shard, and is also supposed to remind us of the sail ships and church steeples of ye olde London.
Is the trifle a nickname for a London skyscraper?
The Trifle – In 2003, Prince Charles likened the London skyline to an “absurdist picnic table.” When he said that, a skyscraper nicknamed “The Gherkin,” for its resemblance to a pickled cucumber, had just been completed and another nicknamed “The Salt Cellar” (now better known as “The Shard”) was under construction.
Where in London is St Mary AXE?
St Mary Axe is a City of London street running from Houndsditch in the north to Leadenhall Street in the south, named after the former 12th-century church of St Mary Axe, which closed in 1560.
What means gherkin?
A gherkin is a small variety of a cucumber that’s been pickled. It’s a little cucumber that’s been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or other solution and left to ferment for a period of time.
Why is it called a gherkin?
Its form is so unique, that it has been given the nickname “the Gherkin.” The building was designed by famed architect Norman Foster of the Foster and Partners architectural firm. These open shafts also allow available sunlight to penetrate deep into the building to cut down on light costs.
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: £230 million (plus land cost of £161 million) |
| Owner | Safra Group |
| Height |
Is the Gherkin the tallest building in London?
However, since 2010, the tallest building in London has been The Shard at London Bridge, which was topped out at 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) in 2012….Tallest buildings and structures.
| Name | 30 St Mary Axe |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Primary use | Office |
| Location | City of London |
| Notes | Formerly known as the Swiss Re Building. Nicknamed “The Gherkin”. |
What is the tallest in London?
The Shard
Buildings
| Rank | Name | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Shard | 306 m / 1,004 ft |
| 2 | 22 Bishopsgate | 278.2 m / 913 ft |
| 3 | One Canada Square | 236 m / 774 ft |
| 4 | Landmark Pinnacle | 233.2 m / 765 ft |
Who are the current occupants of 30 St Mary Axe?
As of January 2016, current occupants of the building include the following: 1 Standard Life 2 IWG 3 ION Trading 4 Kirkland & Ellis 5 Hunton & Williams 6 Falcon Group 7 Swiss Re 8 Lab49 9 London Real Estate 10 Algotechs
Why was the St Mary Axe in London dropped?
This plan was dropped after objections that it was totally out-of-scale in the City of London, and anticipated disruption to flight paths for both London City and London Heathrow airports; the revised plan for a lower tower was accepted.
Why was the Baltic Exchange rebuilt on St Mary Axe?
The United Kingdom government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, English Heritage, and the City of London ‘s governing body, the City of London Corporation, were keen that any redevelopment must restore the Baltic Exchange’s old façade onto St Mary Axe. The Exchange Hall was a celebrated fixture of the shipping market.