It’s officially called 30 St Mary Axe, but let’s be real—everyone calls it The Gherkin. At 180 metres (591 feet), it’s not the tallest, but it’s undeniably the most iconic. Follow that weird shape? It’s designed to reduce wind deflection, meaning it sways just a little, keeping you from getting seasick during a board meeting.
Fun fact: the building has a secret top-floor restaurant and bar called Searcy’s, but it’s members-only. Unless you know someone, you’ll have to settle for the public viewing platform at level 34—which is still pretty spectacular.
For a culture fix, note that The Gherkin made a splash in the 2015 film Spectre (James Bond, obviously). And if you’re into sustainability, it’s one of the greenest buildings in London, using natural ventilation for most of the year.
