30 St Mary Axe, more commonly known as: the Gherkin, is a commercial skyscraper towering over the City of London's financial district. The Gherkin opened as the Swiss Re Building in 2004 and completed the redevelopment of the old Grade II listed Baltic Exchange. Another staple London landmark best admired from our rooftop terrace, the Gherkin is not the tallest, yet remains one of the quirkiest, skyscrapers.
Often used as a filming location and primarily made up of offices, the Gherkin isn’t generally open to the public, but you can visit the Helix restaurant and Iris bar on the top floors to enjoy its panoramic views over London. One of the Gherkin’s claims, alongside its eco office credentials, is that a superior ventilation system, coupled with plentiful greenery, make this the best spot to breathe in the City.
