St Mary Axe

St Mary’s Axe is both a historic street in the City of London and the name associated with one of London’s most iconic modern skyscrapers, “The Gherkin.” The street is named after the medieval Church of St Mary Axe, which was demolished in 1561. This church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, stood at the heart of the old city, and its name comes from the sign of a guild that worked nearby, depicting an axe. Though the original church no longer stands, this area survived the devastation of the Blitz during World War II, when many parts of London were heavily bombed. The area was eventually redeveloped, and the street St Mary’s Axe became known for its association with futuristic architecture. One of the most notable buildings in St Mary’s Axe today is 30 St Mary Axe, better known as “The Gherkin,” completed in 2003. Designed by Norman Foster and Partners, the 180 m (591 ft) building stands out for its unique, curvaceous shape, which minimises wind turbulence and maximises energy efficiency. Its distinctive appearance has led to the affectionate nickname, and it has become one of London’s most recognizable modern landmarks. Today, the streets are a collection of distinctly shaped, modern skyscrapers, futuristic offices and insurance buildings. These include the ’Cheesegrater" also known as ’The Leadenhall Building’, ’The Scalpel’, ’The Willis Building’, the nearly ’Walkie-Talkie’ building (20 Fenchurch Street) and ’St Helen’s’, previously called the ’Aviva Tower’. Amongst all this modern architecture stands the humble, medieval church of St. Andrew Undershaft. It is a rare example of a building that endured the hardships of both the Great Fire of London as well as the Blitz. For visitors, St Mary’s Axe offers a fascinating blend of history and modernity, where medieval street names meet cutting-edge skyscrapers, reflecting London’s ongoing evolution as a city.