Gherkin aka 30 St Mary Axe

Commissioned by Swiss Re and designed by Sir Norman Foster, the Gherkin, officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, was opened in May 2004. At 180m high, the Gherkin was the first tall structure allowed to be built in the City since the 1970s. Over 24000sq metres (equivalent to five football pitches) of external glass was used. Surprisingly, only one piece of curved glass was used and that is the lens at the top of the building. A hydraulic cheery picker is permanantly attached to the side of the Gherkin and used in the cleaning of the windows of storeys 35-41. The Gherkin is a private building with no public access.