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What is inside the Gherkin building?

What is inside the Gherkin building?

The top floors of The Gherkin tower include Helix and Iris, a panoramic restaurant and bar both open to the public. There you can enjoy sophisticated cocktails and contemporary British cuisine, while taking in the uninterrupted views of London.

How was the Gherkin constructed?

As well as looking pretty sweet, the swirling striped pattern visible on the exterior has a structural point to it too, the result of the building’s energy-saving system, which allows air to flow up through spiraling wells. Over 35km of steel was used to construct the Gherkin.

What architectural style is the Gherkin?

Sustainable architecture
High-tech architecturePostmodern ArchitectureNeo-futurism
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)/Architectural styles

How did Norman Foster design the Gherkin?

In designing London’s first ecological tall building, Foster + Partners used a technically radical approach to provide for the brief which required approximately 47,000 square metres net of office space coupled with a group of shops and cafes in an arcade that would be accessed from a new piazza.

How much is the Gherkin worth?

London’s Gherkin skyscraper has been sold to investment giant the Safra Group in a deal reportedly worth £726m. BBC News spoke to a consultancy firm ahead of the sale to gauge how much the capital’s iconic skyline might now be worth.

Who owns the Gherkin?

Safra Group
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)/Owners

In November 2014, the Gherkin was purchased for £700 million by the Safra Group, controlled by the Brazilian billionaire Joseph Safra.

Why is the Gherkin special?

Its form is so unique, that it has been given the nickname “the Gherkin.” The building was designed by famed architect Norman Foster of the Foster and Partners architectural firm. These open shafts also allow available sunlight to penetrate deep into the building to cut down on light costs.

How much did it cost to build the Gherkin?

30 St Mary Axe
Construction started 2001
Completed 2003
Opened 28 April 2004
Cost £138 million (plus land cost of £90.6 million) adjusted for inflation: £230 million (plus land cost of £161 million)

What is Heron Tower worth?

Heron Tower – Estimated Value: £400m The 755ft (230m) tower is one of the tallest buildings in the City of London, containing bars, restaurants and Britain’s largest, privately-owned aquarium.

How much did the Gherkin cost?

30 St Mary Axe
Opened 28 April 2004
Cost £138 million (plus land cost of £90.6 million) adjusted for inflation: £230 million (plus land cost of £161 million)
Owner Safra Group
Height

How tall is the Gherkin building in London?

When you are travelling into London, one of the first buildings to strike your eye will be the Gherkin no matter which direction you are getting in from. Officially referred to as 30 St. Mary Axe, it stands at a whooping 180 metres tall and it’s the second tallest building in London.

How is the exterior of the Gherkin made?

The external grid of the facade is formed by panels of triple thickness: double glass towards the outside and a laminated glass towards the interior, to optimize the entrance of light without removing views. It’s a laborious orchestration of light and controlled reflexes.

Why is the Gherkin in the heart of London?

It’s not just an ambitious building and massive structure, the sustainability mechanisms employed in its design have ensured that the building uses only half the energy consumed by conventionally unsustainable and air-conditioned buildings of such magnitude. The Gherkin is located in the heart of London’s financial centre.

What makes the Gherkin building so energy efficient?

each floor has large open plan spaces, with floor to ceiling windows allowing for the maximum amount of natural light. the gherkin uses half the power a similar sized building would, this is thanks to its energy saving design features such as a natural ventilation system and glazing that heats the internal rooms.