30 St Mary Axe
City of London

This innovative building was commissioned by the insurance company Swiss Re, and was designed by  Norman Foster and Partners Architects. It immediately became affectionately known by Londoners as "The Gherkin" because of its shape. 

The Swiss re Building - photo by Les Baker

It is built on the site of the old Baltic Exchange which was bombed to the ground by IRA terrorists. It rises 590 feet or 180 metres above the City skyline and is an elegant addition to the various styles of buildings within the City of London.  It is not open to the public but there is a small exhibition on the ground floor. 

Nearest Tube station: Liverpool Street.