What is the name of tall building in London known as the “Gurkin” and what is it for?
The Gherkin, or otherwise known as the Swiss Re Tower (after its previous owner) has the official title of 30st Mary Axe and stands at 180 meters tall (590ft) and is situated in the financial district of London. It is the second tallest building inthe City of London (the tallest is Tower 42). It was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winner Lord Foster and his ex-partner Ken Shuttleworth and Arup engineers and constructed by a Swedish company, Skanska, between 2001 and 2004. It houses many financial companies, including the Abbey Business Centre, Kirkland and Ellis, Allianz and Hypo Real Estate Bank International. At the top of the Gherkin, there is a uniques Bar and restaurant, run by Searcy’s with panoramic views over the city. During the day, this restaurant is only open to businesses within the Gherkin, but at night, there is oportunity to hire it out. On the 38th floor there are 5 individual dining rooms which can be hired out for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These are also run by Sear
30 St Mary Axe is a building in London’s main financial district, the City of London. It is widely known by the nickname “The Gherkin”, and occasionally as The Swiss Re Tower, Swiss Re Building, Swiss Re Centre, or just Swiss Re, after its previous owner but principal occupier. It is 180 m (590 ft) tall, making it the second-tallest building in the City of London, after Tower 42, and the sixth-tallest in London as a whole. The design is by Pritzker Prize-winner Lord Foster and ex-partner Ken Shuttleworth and Arup engineers. It was constructed by Skanska of Sweden between 2001 and 2004.
