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Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Completed in 2008 opposite Lloyd's of London.
The Willis Building is a commercial skyscraper at 51 Lime Street in the City of London. Designed by Norman Foster and developed by British Land, it stands opposite the Lloyd's building and rises to 125 metres (410 ft), with a tiered, stepped profile. The building was completed in 2008.
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The headquarters of world's most famous insurance market, housed in a revolutionary (at the time) bizarre, Matrix-like glass-and-steel building designed by Richard Rogers, with all support services (lifts, ventilation, etc.) suspended outside. Recognised as a masterpiece of exoskeleton architecture.
Another Richard Rogers creation, nicknamed the Cheesegrater. Completed in 2014. Also opposite Lloyd's.
The LME is the leading centre for non-ferrous metals trading. It is also the last financial market in London which still retains open outcry trading.
Designed by one of Britain's leading architects, Sir Norman Foster, this curved glass skyscraper was the 2004 recipient of the Stirling Architectural Prize for Best Building. It was built on the site of the Baltic Exchange building, destroyed in 1992 by an IRA bomb which killed three. On the Bury Street side of the Gherkin by some black stone benches is the Tomb of the Unknown Girl for a teenaged Londoner who died 1,600 years ago (see infobox above), marked with a marble laurel wreath and inscription. Searcy's Restaurant (from £50) at the top takes bookings up to five weeks in advance and you have to go through security before going up.
London's highest viewing platform that is free to the public. Sitting at the 58th floor of an office building, and the tallest building in City of London proper, it gives visitors a 300-degree view of London.
The Sky Garden
The unusual "walkie scorchie" profile of this skyscraper by Rafael Vinoly has seen it grab the headlines, as did the "death rays" caused by the sun's heat reflecting off the building onto the street below when it was first completed; car tyres melted and burst, and at least one man fried an egg using only the heat from the walkie talkie. Visitors can access the sky garden to see a magnificent view over the City and beyond; it's the only place you can't see the tower from! Online booking to visit during the day is essential. Alternatively, you can eat at one of the restaurants in the evening.