Pickle or Gherkin?
Well, it's commonly known as the Gherkin and I've blogged about it before here. The building is in fact the home of Swiss Re, who are the Worlds second largest re-insurer. Founded in 1863, Swiss Re operates through offices in more than 25 countries.
30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin and the Swiss Re Building, is a skyscraper in London's, completed in December 2003 and opened on 28 April 2004. It is 180 metres (591 ft) tall, with 40 floors. Its construction symbolised the start of a new high-rise construction boom in London.The building was designed by Lord Foster, his then business partner Ken Shuttleworth and Arup engineers, and was constructed by Skanska of Sweden in 2001–2004.
The gherkin name dates back to at least 1999, referring to that plan's highly unorthodox layout and appearance. Due to the current building's somewhat phallic appearance, other inventive names have also been used for the building, including the Erotic gherkin, the Towering Innuendo, and the Crystal Phallus (also a pun on Crystal Palace).
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28 comments:
Very unusual building! I think it is pretty cool though. Good photos of it!
Can I just say that I love this post? I went inside this building over the summer, since my mom knows someone who works there for Swiss Re. (She works for Swiss Re, too.)
The pictures are awesome!
How unusual!
when i was living in london i passed the gherkin a lot of times
it's massive!
that's quite an artistic shot!
Awesome post and photos for the day, Rob! And I always love your humor -- makes my day! I also love all the different names for the building! It is unusual! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
More like a bullet than a gherkin if you ask me, but certainly a very intriguing structure, if a bit too phallic.
Beautiful! I know it very well, in last tree years we lived a 40 miles to London:)
Any drabness in the sky there is more than compensated for by that interesting Spire on the building.
Wonderful shots! The first one looks as though the Gherkin is growing out of the terraced houses. It is an extrordinary building but has to fight to find its place in the London landscape (skyscape?)
Rob: Love your capture and the neat look at the tower.
Something out of a sci-fi creation it looks like. It's such an eye catcher. Is this in any of the postcards yet?
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From twisted towers on MedaM's blog to pickles on the London skyline...everyone seems to want to be different no matter the cost. It is and incredible building but it also stands out like a sore thumb.
Great shots Rob!
It's a great building.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
It's an amazing design amidst the old magnificent building around. Thanks for sharing!
SkyWatchFriday:Beautiful Sunset
that's one cool building, nice shots, thanks for sharing
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I say gherkin because I think it's such a cool word :)
the 2nd shot of the building is awesome!! your composition is so wonderful
I just love this building, have since it first appeared on the skyline.
That is one amazing building. I love it. I love pickles, too. Now I need to go eat some....
Very unusual... looks like half a rocket!
Marvellous Architecture! First pic looks like a rocket about to be launched :-D
Pixellicious Photos
I've always had a love-hate relationship with this building. In itself, it's just fantastic, stunning and wildly amazing. Stuffed into the middle of the City, it's an eyesore!
Nice description ...great photos
a very unusual building but i like it....especially liked in basic instinct 2!!!!
unusual shot, Rob.
Congrats
Have a nice day
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I believe here Swiss Re is now part of AIG ...
And it reminds me more of a 007 film .. Thunderhead ... cue Bernard Herrmann music ...
Looks like the nose of a futuristic rocket ship, rising out of the ground :-) Cool building !!
I love it when modern architecture means more than boxes.
I love it.
"somewhat phallic"? ha!
Great photos, Rob.
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