The Gherkin Swiss Re Tower

For the longest time I’ve wanted to see «the Gherkin». I’ve seen the Swiss Re Building in books before and never ever thought I would get to see it up close. My euro trip had us venture into London and while my sister tried to find warmer clothing in the T.K. Maxx nearby, I headed up the street to see the prize, The Gherkin, in all it’s glory. As I cranked my neck and head upward to take it all in, I couldn’t help but let the words «Holy Shi. take mushrooms!» depart my lips in a sort of a whisper. Well those weren’t exactly the words, but you can kinda get where I’m going or make an educated guess as to what I actually said. I am actually finding it hard to find words on how wonderful this structure is. It’s really just amazing! How can one love a piece of architecture? Well, I really love the Gherkin. All that glass and metal… so beautiful. It’s almost like a Faberge egg or piece of fine crystal. I also don’t know if it was because my neck was cranked at about a 90 degree angle or because it was breezy and kind of chilly, but my eyes watered a bit. You know how you get so excited to see something or someone and you just get overwhelmed? Yeah… that was me at 30 St. Mary Axe.
Someone near where I was said it looked like a spaceship about to take off. I just think it’s an awesome piece of contemporary architecture.
Architecturally, London has a lot to see (both old and new) so make sure you check out The Gherkin if you’re over in the financial district. Check out the Shard as well and the City Hall. There is certainly a lot of cool glass structures down by Tate Modern as well.

30 libras por una gran vista. Mas interesante que el london eye. Lo bueno es que si compras las entradas para el otro día baja 5 libras. Es una gran vista pero nada mas que eso. Mucho gift shop pero nada mas.

Viste cuándo no tenés idea qué corno es un edificio pero simplemente lo amás por como es? Bueno, bienvenidos a The Gherkin Swiss. Es el huevo de cristal de Londres. Y es hermoso por donde se lo vea.
CREO que adentro hay oficinas y esas cosas locas de mundo moderno bancario. Pero la realidad es que todas las veces que fui, no entré. Solo me dediqué a admirarlo desde lejos porque es increíblemente lindo por donde se lo mire.
Las fotos hablan por si solas.
Amarlo.

We were treated to a night at the Gherkin after a work away day 2 nights ago and I’m still feeling the effects of it now (although I’m sure that was down to the crazy marketeers I was with)! All of the staff were so welcoming and guided us all up to the top floor of the Gherkin. The view was magical as soon as you walked up the winding staircase. My friend and I did a sweep of the floor to capture all photo and selfie opportunities possible of the London skyline before enjoying dangerous cocktails and delicious canapés served by Searcy’s restaurant on the floor below. The staff had hooked up a TV to show all embarrassing photos from our day’s activities — some weren’t best pleased but it was a nice touch. It’s one of those experiences that you have to do in life, so put on a party dress, get your pins out and go a drink of two at the Gherkin!

Another architectural gem! I love London’s skyline with its combination of historical wonders, a giant ferris wheel and some of the most modern unique architecture around.
As with the Shard (
) I didn’t actually get to go inside the Gherkin but I marvel at the design of it. It’s an amazing looking structure and so worth a walk-​by when you’re in London.

Horizon londonien, ce qui se veut un cigare géant mais aisément plus identifiable comme un cornichon, se dresse parmi les autres tours de la ville. A l’image moderne voulu par le quartier, il a été construit sur un modèle permettant une économie d’énergie.
Bâti par la société Swiss Re, j’ai tendance à plus retenir son adresse, 30^st Mary Axe, car c’est sa véritable identité, mais l’usage commun est de le nommer par sa apparence, The Gherkin.

While casually walking back to our hotel on Gracechurch with my folks and admiring the beauty of this little church nestled in between two buildings, what do I see slightly peeking out behind this beautiful little church? I see this black and grayish glassed in, diamond shaped, metal sphere of a building that looked like a scene out of a sci-​fi movie. The contrast between this centuries old church and this ultra modernesque building is unbelievable. As you walk towards, The Gherkin, as it is affectionately called, it is a wonder to behold.
I am now curious to see what this thing is peering in the distance behind all of these historic buildings. As I rush to walk closer and closer to the building, leaving my parents in my wake, I sense this sort of ominous feeling creeping up in me. I finally get to the The Gherkin at St Mary Axe and stand beneath this magnificent marvel of a structure, wishing that something this beautiful was in some shape or form in NYC. I never thought of being an architectural engineer, but this building had me in awe and wishing I had the wherewithal to be that person involved in this creation.
Some people might be wondering what all the fuss is about, but viewing the building the way I did I think this building is a must see. Oh, and once my Dad finally caught up with me he clearly understood my amazement.

Came here for New Years at Searcy’s and the 40|30 Bar on the top floor. Amazing views, though not as impressive after dark and when windows are covered by smog from fireworks. Great service nonetheless. Good wine selection, and they kept giving us complimentary glasses of champagne. Then again, that’s the kind of service you should expect for the price you’re paying.

I never really thought it was important for me to visit the Gherkin but I was soooo wrong. A few months ago, I was invited to a fashion event on the 39^th floor and it was simply magical. The sunset was so beautiful [lucky for me, I ended up there during summer], the views of London are incredible and to top things up we were served some amazing Sushi.
If you get the opportunity to visit the Gherkin then go for it, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Eine Gurke in London (Siehe Foto unten) (Siehe Foto unten) Der 30 St Mary Axe oder auch The Gherkin bzw. auch Swiss Re
Tower genannt, befindet sich im Finanzdistrikt von London. Der 180 Meter hohe
Turm ist vergleichbar mit dem in Barcelona stehende Torre Agbar (
). Nachts ist der
Turm beleuchte und von weitem schon zu sehen. Interessant fand ich den Kontrast
von Antike und Modern. Auf dem untenstehenden Foto kann man das sehr gut
erkenne.
(Siehe Foto unten) Der Turm selbst ist innen leider nicht zu besichtigen. Die Gurke, wie
sie auch von den Einheimischen genannt wird, ist ein Gebäude, das man mal
gesehen haben muss. Für die Filmfans noch eine Info: Hier spielte ein großer
Teil des Films Basic Instinct 2 aus dem Jahr 2006.

I can’t possibly give this building 5 stars like everyone else.
Why? Because although I like the look of it, I’m not allowed inside to admire the view from the top. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the building was originally designed to be Eco-​friendly and not need air conditioning. It employed a clever system that was supposed to let air circulate around the entire building with the hot air escaping at the top.
But then they sealed off all the floors to make it multi tenanted and that broke the airflow, and they had to retrofit air conditioning… Boo hoo!

Stunning architecture for The Gherkin and the views rival all the major cities around the world.
Classy service inside Searcy’s Bar and Restaurant. Prices are not for the faint hearted but this is not your local boozer.
Note, it’s a members only place (thank heavens) but if you get the opportunity to go with a friend, do so — it’s very much worth it.

When this building first came up there was much critiscm that somehow it was too modern or ruined the skyline. But now the gherkin is as part of London as the tower of London and has earned its place as a landmark.

The Gherkin is a unique building instantly recognisable in the skyline of London. I was lucky enough to be taken to the bar at the top of the building which is not open to the general public.
The views from the top of London below are stunning, and being a real tourist I took over 50 pictures of the views are intricate roof design before turning my attention to the drinks menu. I settled for a pale ale served in a glass that made it neither a pint nor a half pint, at over £5 it wasn’t cheap but I was happy to pay given the location.

Having visited the wonderful church of St Helen’s
nearby, I went for a business meeting at the Gherkin.
At the end of which we enjoyed cocktails on the top
floor. The experience was like swimming in the clouds.
What a conjunction of buildings made 3 centuries apart!
Yet their very difference seems to set up a curiously charged
atmosphere on the ground.
I think access is only via invite

London is going to be sorry it made an alien egg into a major part of its skyline when the giant parasitic facehugger explodes from within!
For me that is the only thing cool about this building, that it reminds me of a couple of good films (and a couple of not so good ones).
I don’t hate modern architecture. I am quite looking forward to the shard of glass and who can’t help but admire the New York skyline, but to me this building is rather ugly and I can’t believe that it seems to be much loved (just see comments below) by tourists, but also by the locals. I guess I am in a confused minority!

Fantastic service to match the fantastic views!
Luckily I had visited the Gherkin years ago to see the views as on this trip, low-​hanging snow clouds obscured all but the faintest outline of St Pauls!
When dining at the Searcys ⁴⁰⁄₃₀ restaurant in the dome of the building, you do need to provide photo id and pass through an airport scanner to gain access. Once you travel up to the 39^th floor you are greeted by a hostess and can go upstairs to the champagne bar that takes over the circular top floor. Once your table is ready you will be led back down one flight of stairs to the semi-​circular restaurant that takes over half of the building looking west. Obviously the views take precedence, so the furniture and table settings are plain and ultra modern. Glossy black floors and crisp white tablecloths set the tone in this membership-​only club and restaurant.
We had champagne to start while waiting on our fellow diners, then some amuse bouche of foamed parsnip in a carrot crispy shell and fois gras maccaroons. Then followed a great 3 course meal of salmon, braised venison and a wonderful mille feuille dessert.
Service was perfect and totally reflects the 5-​star nature of the club. Although it technically says you have to be a member to book, I think they may relax this at times so ring up and try to book in advance. There is a private dining room and you don’t have to be a member to book this or private hire for large events. Definitely one of the most striking venues in London with food and service to match.

A beautiful and stunning building that adds to London’s unique skyline and reputation as both a modern city and one with history that dates back hundreds of years. It’s so much prettier than the plain steel and glass buildings dotted nearby. It’s so *not* a Monet — it looks great from afar and from close up.
I was in the City yesterday to meet my customers and it so happens that their office is right next door to the Swiss Re building, aka the Gherkin. We managed to pop out for lunch and sat under the building enjoying the fantastic view.

Die «Gurke» ist aus der Stadtkulisse von London nicht mehr wegzudenken.

Be careful if you want to make photos of the Gherkin because of section 44 of the Terrorism Act.
See:

So I’m lucky enough to have a hubby who has worked here from day one — wanna shoot me?!
Granted the views from within are incredible (we’re looking over the best city in the word — so what’s not to like?) … but if you don’t have a contact on the inside, don’t fret.
You’re still able to enjoy the architecture from the piazza that surrounds the Gherkin. Walk all the way around the building and notice that when you’re standing near to the sides and you look up the top of the building has disappeared! Move back across the street, and you can see the tippy bit again (housing those with contacts). Magic Schmagick.
Drinks upstairs are great on a Friday afternoon and the food is provided by Searcy’s but service and ingredients seem to be a little above their usual standard fare. Still not the cheapest of nights out, but one you’ll remember.

Went for some drinks yesterday evening at the 40|30 Bar at the top floor of the Gherkin, very hard to get into but get a chance and it’s definitely worth it! Great drinks and service too, and not bad value at all. Forget Vertigo at Tower42 this is the view of London you want stunning!

I’m a bit of an unusual architecture nut. And this is right up there with unusual. Wow. When I first saw it (just out and about. I had no idea that I would come upon it) I mentally called it an Easter egg. But Gherkin is more appropriate. I love the visual texture of the glass and steel, kind of Koolhaas-​ish, though I know it’s not.
Props to the people who had the balls to approve the final design of this building.

Este característico edificio construido por Norman Foster se puede ver desde muchos puntos de la ciudad, pero merece la pena acercarse a verlo de cerca. Se encuentra en pleno barrio de ‘La City’, el barrio de oficinas de la ciudad, y visto desde abajo es bastante impresionante y muy peculiar, a mi me gustó mucho.

This building is great!
It treads the fine line between skyline landmark and eyesore very delicately and somehow manages to come out a winner (go figure).
I love the shape, which has earned it its nickname, and it always makes me smile to see it.
It might be because I had an interview there, and adored the view! It’s absolutely unforgettable. As is the security check. As bad as an airport! :)
Not sure if anyone noticed, but the psychiatrist’s office in Basic Instinct 2 was in the Gherkin!

London quillt ueber von cooler Architektur und trotzdem sticht die Gurke aufgrund ihrer imposanten Laenge schoen hervor.
War auch noch nicht drin, aber vielleicht ergibt sich ja mal eine Chance. :)

Das schönste Phallussymbol in Europas großartigster Metropole sieht eigentlich wie ein Tannenzapfen aus. Trotzdem heißt das Ding Gurke. Herr Foster, ich danke ihnen!

Wie Plainpixel bereits schrieb, lässt sich das Gebäude nicht besichtigen. Ich hab mir so überlegt, dass das Gebäude doch für alle Hühner auf der Welt ein wahrer Wallfahrtsort sein müsste: So ein riesiges Easter Egg gibt’s doch sonst nirgends nochmal zu finden ;-)

Für mich eines der imposantesten Landmarks in London!
Bekannt wurde es auch u. a. durch eine Nebenrolle in dem Film Basic Instinct II mit Sharon Stone.
Leider kann man dieses einzigartige Bauwerk nicht besichtigen.

It’s not often that new buildings become instant icons, but Norman Foster’s 180m-​tall design for Swiss Re, completed in 2004, is one of the them. The ‘Gherkin’, as it is usually now known, is fast becoming a visual shorthand for London, along with Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
The shape, of course, makes it stand out, but there’s more to this design than meets the eye: the distinctive diagonal bracing combines wall and roof into one surface, with a series of curving atria between the outer wall and the offices within. This is designed to reduce energy consumption, by allowing air movement within to cool the building in summer and keep is warm in winter. It also provides office space without internal supports. The unique shape — it is larger in the middle than the ground plan — aims to maximise office space within a constricted site.
While not the tallest of London’s buildings, it still stands out as an impressive addition to the City’s skyline.