The Gherkin

30 Mary Ax Tower or 30 St Mary Ax Tower is a 40-storey skyscraper in London, the structure of which is made in the form of a grid shell with a central support base. It is notable for its panoramic view of the city and an unusual view for central London. Residents call it “cucumber” or “gherkin” for its greenish tint and characteristic shape.

or the 30 St Mary Axe is a skyscraper in London. It opened in 2004 and it is 180 metres tall! You can see it from 30 km away. There are 18 lifts in the Gherkin. They can go very fast. If you don't like lifts, there are 1,037 steps! The Gherkin is very famous and you can see it in some films, too!

Formally known as 30 St Mary Axe, the building has become better known by its colloquial name “The Gherkin,” which comes from its shape being similar to a gherkin fruit. It was commissioned by the reinsurance group Swiss Re and built during a key period in the modern-day development of the City of London, in the middle of an ongoing debate about tall buildings in the city center and at a time of rising standards in architecture.

The Gherkin is one of the most famous high-rise buildings in London. It was designed by the famous British architect Norman Foster. You can see its top from far away. Some people say it looks like a rocket, but most people simply call it the Gherkin. It was built in such a way as to save energy, so the heating and cooling costs are not too high.

1. Main features.

2. What it is for