30 St Mary Axe

Below is the 30 St Mary Axe photography portfolio. You can read more about the building below, or head straight to the thumbnails to view the images.

30 St Mary Axe is one of the most recognisable buildings in the City of London, widely known as ‘The Gherkin’. Originally an insult, now more of an affectionate moniker. Its distinctive curved form has made it a familiar feature of the skyline since it opened in April 2004. The building was originally commissioned by the Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re as their London headquarters, and for many years it was commonly referred to as the Swiss Re Building.

Designed by architect Norman Foster and constructed by Skanska, the 40-storey tower marked a shift in how tall buildings were approached in the City. Its rounded shape and diagonal glass pattern set it apart from the rectilinear forms that dominated earlier commercial architecture. From many angles, the building appears to change character, narrowing or broadening depending on viewpoint and distance. This quality has made it a compelling subject to photograph over time.

The upper floors of 30 St Mary Axe include a bar and restaurant with panoramic views across London, offering a rare perspective over the City, the Thames and beyond. For a period, Sky News broadcast a business programme from the building, further reinforcing its place as a symbol of modern London.

Seen from above, the building’s form becomes even more distinctive, revealing the structure and geometry that underpin its elegant exterior. 30 St Mary Axe sits at the centre of a cluster of major City landmarks, including the Leadenhall Building, the Lloyds Building and 20 Fenchurch Street. Together, these buildings reflect the pace of architectural change in London’s financial district over the past few decades. Once a solitary presence on the skyline, The Gherkin is now part of a dense and evolving cityscape.

The images below explore different types of 30 St Mary Axe photography, from close-range street-level perspectives to wider 360-degree views and large-scale cityscape panoramas. Taken together, they show how the building sits within its surroundings and how its appearance shifts with light, weather and position across the City.