The Gherkin Palace

Address: 30 St Mary Axe, London, UK

Admission: No general public admission - offices and event space; occasional public events or private-viewing by reservation only

The building commonly called The Gherkin is a commercial office tower at 30 St Mary Axe in central London, completed in 2003 and notable for its distinctive rounded, tapering form. It is a high-profile piece of contemporary architecture and a recognisable element of the city’s financial district skyline.

The tower rises to about 180 metres across 41 storeys and uses a diagonally braced steel frame with a helical pattern of glazing. Its design emphasises a compact footprint, light-filled atria and energy-efficiency measures built into the façade and ventilation strategy.

Primarily an office building, it has no permanent large public viewing gallery, though some floors and nearby restaurants offer views by arrangement; its distinctive profile makes it a frequent subject of architectural tours and city skyline photography.

Located in the City of London near the historic financial quarter, the building sits close to other major office towers and transport hubs, including Liverpool Street and Aldgate stations.

• Height and address: The building stands 180 metres tall with 41 storeys; it was completed in 2003 and is formally known as 30 St Mary Axe.
• Design and engineering: Designed by Norman Foster’s practice, the tower’s tapered, cylindrical plan and diagonal steel frame are distinctive features that reduce wind load and create a recognizable London skyline landmark.

The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) stands in the City of London near Bishopsgate and Leadenhall Street. The nearest main rail/tube hub is Liverpool Street station (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines) - it’s about a 5-8 minute walk from Liverpool Street. Bank and Monument stations are also within a 10-15 minute walk.

By road the building fronts onto streets in the City (Bishopsgate/A10 and Leadenhall Street); driving and parking in the City are restricted, so public transport or a short taxi from central London is usually the easiest option.

• The Gherkin is not generally open to the public-plan to view and photograph it from surrounding streets (St Mary Axe) and plazas; book a private event or a corporate tour if you need interior access.
• For strong photographic compositions, take early-morning or evening shots when reflections on the glass are most striking and pedestrian crowds are thinner.
• Combine your stop with nearby viewpoints-Leadenhall Market, the Thames riverside and the rooftop at the nearby Sky Garden (book in advance) give complementary perspectives of the building.