Logan Reid
The Gherkin, a commercial skyscraper in London's financial district, has sparked a wave of nostalgia for some millennials who recently discovered that the iconic building is not a hospital as they believed while growing up. The 40-storey building, officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, was completed in 2003 and opened in 2004. Its unique design and appearance earned it the nickname The Gherkin, resembling a vegetable. The tower features a bar and restaurant on its top floors, offering panoramic views of the city. However, the misconception of it being a hospital might stem from its portrayal as the Harlequin Hospital in the CBeebies show Me Too! which aired from 2006 to 2008.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Gherkin |
| Other Names | Swiss Re Building, 30 St Mary Axe |
| Location | London, UK |
| Type of Building | Commercial skyscraper |
| Year of Completion | 2003 |
| Year Opened | 2004 |
| Number of Floors | 40 or 41 |
| Height | 591 feet or 180 meters |
| Purpose | Offices, bar, restaurant |
| Design | Energy efficiency, open shafts for ventilation |
| Previous Building | Baltic Exchange |
| Owner | Safra Group |
| Cultural References | CBeebies TV show Me Too! |
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What You'll Learn
- The Gherkin is a commercial skyscraper in London's financial district
- The building's design is based on energy efficiency
- The tower stands on the site of the former Baltic Exchange
- The CBeebies show Me Too! featured the building as a hospital
- The Gherkin was purchased by the Safra Group for £700 million in 2014
The Gherkin is a commercial skyscraper in London's financial district
The Gherkin is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London. Standing at 591 feet (180 metres) tall, it is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. The building gets its nickname from its resemblance to the vegetable. It was previously known as the Swiss Re Building and is located at 30 St Mary Axe.
The Gherkin was completed in December 2003 and opened to the public in April 2004. It has 41 floors, including a restaurant on the 39th floor and a bar for tenants and their guests on the top floor, offering panoramic views of London. The building is known for its energy-efficient design, using only half the energy of a similarly-sized tower. This was achieved through the inclusion of open shafts between each floor, which act as natural ventilation.
The tower stands on the site of the former Baltic Exchange, which was extensively damaged in a bombing by the Provisional IRA in 1992. The original plan for the site was to build a 92-storey Millennium Tower, but this was scaled down due to concerns about its impact on air traffic and the protected sightlines of St Paul's Dome. The Gherkin was designed by Foster + Partners and built by Skanska, with construction beginning in 2001.
The unique design of the Gherkin has made it an iconic feature of London's skyline. Its topmost panoramic dome, known as the "Lens", recalls the glass dome that once covered part of the Baltic Exchange. The building's unorthodox layout and appearance have made it a widely recognised example of contemporary architecture in the city.
Interestingly, many people were led to believe that the Gherkin was a hospital due to its appearance in the CBeebies show Me Too!, which aired in the 2000s. In the show, the building was known as Harlequin Hospital and was featured as a workplace for the characters. This led to a surprising revelation for many viewers who later discovered that the building is not actually a hospital but a commercial skyscraper.
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The building's design is based on energy efficiency
The Gherkin, officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district. The building was designed by Foster + Partners and the Arup Group and constructed by Skanska, with construction beginning in 2001 and the building officially opening in April 2004. The design of the Gherkin is heavily based on energy efficiency, with the building using only half the energy of a similarly-sized tower.
The building's energy efficiency is achieved through several design features. Firstly, the building features open shafts between each floor that act as natural ventilation, requiring no energy for use. This reduces the need for mechanical ventilation systems, which can be energy-intensive. Additionally, the building's iconic glass facade allows for an abundance of natural light to penetrate the space, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. The use of natural light not only reduces energy consumption but also creates a brighter and more pleasant environment for the occupants.
Another key feature of the Gherkin's design is the placement of the main lift. In most buildings, extensive lift equipment is located on the roof. However, in the Gherkin, the architects had to consider the presence of a bar on the 40th floor, the topmost level. To accommodate this, the main lift only reaches the 34th floor, with a separate push-from-below lift providing access to the 39th floor. This unique configuration not only serves the functional purpose of accessing the bar but also reduces the overall energy consumption of the building by minimising the number of mechanical lifts.
The Gherkin's energy efficiency is also evident in its water systems. The building is designed to collect rainwater, which is then treated and reused for various purposes, such as irrigation or flushing toilets. This reduces the demand for freshwater, conserving water resources and lowering the energy required for water treatment and distribution. The Gherkin's water conservation strategies showcase its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The design of the Gherkin stands as a testament to the innovative approach of Foster and Partners, the architectural firm behind this iconic structure. Their consideration of energy efficiency in the building's design ensures that the Gherkin not only stands out as a unique landmark but also operates as a sustainable and energy-conscious addition to London's skyline.
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The tower stands on the site of the former Baltic Exchange
The tower, known as the Gherkin, stands on the site of the former Baltic Exchange, which was the headquarters of a global marketplace for shipping freight contracts and soft commodities, as well as the Chamber of Shipping. The Baltic Exchange was extensively damaged in 1992 when the Provisional IRA detonated a bomb near the building, causing destruction to the historic structure and neighbouring buildings. The former building was torn down, and city officials decided to replace it with a larger tower.
The tower's topmost panoramic dome, known as the "Lens", is a nod to the glass dome that once covered part of the ground floor of the Baltic Exchange. The dome can be reached via a marble stairwell or a disabled lift. The "Lens" is now a bar for tenants and their guests, offering a panoramic view of London. The building also features a restaurant on the 39th floor and private dining rooms on the 38th.
The tower's unique design is heavily based on energy efficiency, using only half the energy of a similarly-sized tower. This is achieved through open shafts built between each floor, providing natural ventilation without requiring any energy. The tower's distinctive shape and appearance earned it the nickname "The Gherkin" before construction began. The building has become a recognisable landmark in London, standing at 591 feet tall with 41 floors.
The construction of the tower, which began in 2001, faced some challenges. Initially, a much larger building called the "Millennium Tower" was proposed, but plans were abandoned due to concerns about potential impacts on air traffic and sightlines of St. Paul's Dome. The Gherkin, designed by Norman Foster of Foster and Partners, is a scaled-down version that opened to the public in April 2004.
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The CBeebies show Me Too! featured the building as a hospital
The Gherkin is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London. The building stands at 591 feet tall and has 41 floors. The Gherkin nickname was applied to the building as early as 1999 due to its unorthodox layout and resemblance to the vegetable. The building is known for its innovative design and energy efficiency, using only half the energy of a similarly-sized tower.
Despite its distinctive appearance, many people have mistaken the Gherkin for a hospital. This misconception may have stemmed from its portrayal in the media, particularly in the CBeebies show Me Too! The show, which aired from 2006 to 2008, featured the building as the Harlequin Hospital, a fictional medical facility in the Scottish city of Riverseafingal. While the series was set primarily in Scotland, it did include footage from various English cities, including London.
The use of the Gherkin as a hospital in Me Too! left a lasting impression on its young viewers, with some only recently discovering that the building is not, in fact, a medical facility. This revelation has sparked a range of reactions, from disbelief to humour. Some have joked that they refuse to update their beliefs, while others have shared nostalgic memories of watching the show as children.
The Gherkin's unique design and prominent location make it a recognisable landmark in London. However, its appearance in Me Too! as a hospital has created a lasting association with healthcare for many individuals. This alternate interpretation of the building's function highlights the power of media in shaping perceptions, especially during childhood when our understanding of the world is still forming.
While the Gherkin may not be a hospital in reality, its fictional portrayal as one has added to its cultural significance and the range of associations it evokes. This unexpected connection between architecture and entertainment offers a fascinating insight into the interplay between reality and fiction in shaping our perceptions of the world.
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The Gherkin was purchased by the Safra Group for £700 million in 2014
The Gherkin, officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London. It stands on the site of the former Baltic Exchange, which was extensively damaged in the 1992 Baltic Exchange bombing by the Provisional IRA. The building was completed in December 2003 and opened in April 2004. It is 180 metres (591 feet) tall and has 41 floors. The Gherkin nickname was applied to the building due to its resemblance to the vegetable.
In April 2014, Deloitte announced that the building was being put up for sale, with an expected price of £550 million. The Gherkin was purchased by the Safra Group, controlled by the Lebanese-Brazilian billionaire Joseph Safra, in November 2014 for £700 million. The purchase price exceeded the expected £550 million, with the Financial Times reporting a price of £726 million. The building is home to the London offices of Swiss Re and the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, and Sky News broadcasts its evening business programme from studios in the building.
The Safra Group stated that they intended to make the building 'even better and more desirable', with Joseph Safra commenting that the building is 'already a London icon that is distinguished from others in the market, with excellent value growth potential'. The glass dome at the top of the building, known as the ''Lens', offers panoramic views of London and can be hired out for business functions and weddings. The building also features a bar for tenants and their guests on the 40th floor, a restaurant on the 39th floor, and private dining rooms on the 38th floor.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Gherkin is not a hospital. It is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London.
The Gherkin was featured as a hospital in the CBeebies TV show Me Too!, which aired from 2006 to 2008. In the show, the building was known as Harlequin Hospital.
The Gherkin has 41 floors and is used for offices, dining, and entertainment. There is a bar and restaurant on the top two floors, and private dining rooms on the 38th floor.
