30 St Mary Axe

30 St Mary Axe is the unusually-shaped skyscraper in the City of London, fondly known as ‘The Gherkin’. The building opened in April 2004 and was then generally known as the ‘Swiss Re Building’, as the Swiss reinsurance company had originally commissioned the building as their head office. Sky news broadcast a business programme from the building, and there is a bar with 360 views over London as well as a restaurant, also with incredible views.

Designed by the architect Norman Foster and constructed by Skanska, the 40-storey tower is now one of the most iconic buildings on the London skyline. 30 St Mary Axe was at the heart of a building boom in London’s financial district that continues to this day.