The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe), London
Built 2001-03
Designed by Foster & Partners
30 At Mary Axe, popularly known as The Gherkin, was built on the site of the Baltic Exchange which had been bombed by the Provisonal IRA in 1992. Foster & Partners initial plan for the 92 storey Millennium Tower was refused for being too large and a danger to aeroplanes. However, this 41 storey ‘pine cone’ shaped skyscraper was granted planning permission by John Prescott. The result was a widely admired building which unanimously won the Stirling Prize in 2004.
