Why is The Gherkin closing?

The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) is not closing down permanently, but its top-floor restaurant and bar operated by Searcys are closing in early January 2026. This closure is part of a major refurbishment planned for the 20-year-old building to upgrade its facilities, meet modern energy standards, and remain competitive.

Is The Gherkin being demolished?

Yep, that bizarrely beloved building nicknamed 'the Gherkin' is finally getting its first makeover since it came onto the scene in 2004. The controversial giant tower designed by Norman Foster at 30 St Mary Axe will be renovated from top to bottom in the coming years.

Is The Gherkin closing?

Step into 2026 with style at Searcys at The Gherkin as the top three floors of this architectural icon are transformed into a glittering Masquerade Ball in the Sky. This year is particularly special, as it marks the last-ever New Year's Eve party at The Gherkin, with the venue closing its doors in early January 2026.

What happened to The Gherkin?

Reuters reports that London's landmark “Gherkin” office tower has been sold to investment company Safra Group, controlled by Brazilian-Lebanese billionaire Joseph Safra. The office tower was placed into receivership by its creditors, accountancy firm and joint receivers Deloitte in April.

What's next to The Gherkin?

A 46-storey office block has been approved beside The Gherkin in the City of London's eastern cluster. The plans for 63 St Mary Axe, which is also in close proximity to the Can of Ham, will see the existing buildings knocked down and replaced with the new tower.

LAST CHANCE BEFORE IT CLOSES - SEARCYS AT THE GHERKIN

Who lives in Billionaire Row London?

London's "Billionaires' Row," primarily The Bishops Avenue, hosts a mix of international billionaires, royalty, and business magnates, including figures like Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Saudi royals, and media moguls, alongside historic residents like Gracie Fields; however, many properties are owned by shell corporations and often sit vacant, used only briefly by their wealthy, often foreign, owners.

What is the slang name for London?

The Big Smoke is perhaps the most well known of London's nicknames. London was once an industrial hotbed, with many factories all over the city. A culmination of these and the fuels used to heat residential homes caused London to be an extremely smoky city.

Can you go in The Gherkin for free?

You can't go up The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) for free as a general tourist attraction, but you can visit its top-floor restaurants (Helix & Iris Bar) for the views if you book a table, or enter during special events like Open House London via a ballot. For free panoramic views that include The Gherkin, visit other London landmarks like Sky Garden, The Garden at 120, or Horizon 22, which offer amazing cityscapes and don't require payment, though Sky Garden and Horizon 22 need advance booking.
 

Is The Shard taller than The Gherkin?

The City of London last month approved a skyscraper as tall as the Shard, currently known as 1 Undershaft, which will be 309.6 metres tall and will put the nearby 180 metre-high Gherkin in the shade when it opens.

What pub does Ed Sheeran own in London?

A London restaurant owned by musician Ed Sheeran has been described as "outstanding" and "lovely". Bertie Blossoms on Portobello Road is described as an "intimate restaurant in the heart of Notting Hill."

Why is Barbara Lynch closing all of her restaurants?

Chef Barbara Lynch is closing her Boston restaurants due to a combination of factors, primarily severe financial strain from post-pandemic realities, sky-high rents squeezing independent operators, unaddressed workplace issues leading to lawsuits and negative publicity, and major tax problems, which together made sustaining her restaurant empire impossible. She cited the "harsh realities of the global pandemic" and landlords demanding rents only large chains can afford as key reasons, alongside legal battles and allegations of creating a toxic work environment.
 

Where are Londoners moving to in 2025?

In 2025, 68% of London leavers stayed in the South of England (South East, South West or East of England) – the highest proportion since 2021 and up from 62% in 2024. This marks a reversal of the pandemic and then affordability-led trend that pushed buyers further into the Midlands and North.

Is The Gherkin empty?

Then Foster was told to go for height. The planners became intoxicated by playing at architecture, even when they knew the building they were permitting would be hard to let - the Gherkin is still a quarter empty. The eventual tower was a testament to design by committee. The Baltic Exchange will never be rebuilt.

Who was the last person to be locked up in the Tower of London?

The last person to be executed in the Tower, Josef Jakobs, Nazi spy, shot by a firing squad on 15 August 1941. The last people to be held in the Tower, the Kray twins. They were imprisoned for a few days in 1952 for failing to report for national service.

Can you get married at The Gherkin?

The Gherkin London Wedding Ceremonies

Surrounded by views of the Capital, The Gherkin literally offers couples that 'top-of-the-world' feeling as they say their vows. The 39th and 40th floors are licensed for ceremonies and can host a maximum of 140 guests.

How much would it cost to buy The Gherkin?

Eventually The Gherkin was sold for £700 million, exceeding almost everyone's expectation.

Why is 25 called a pony?

In British slang, £25 is called a "pony" primarily because British soldiers returning from India during the Raj era adopted the term from the Indian 25-rupee note, which featured a pony (horse) on it. This term became part of UK slang, alongside other Indian-influenced terms like "monkey" for £500 (from a 500-rupee note with a monkey).
 

What will be the tallest building in 2050?

By early 2050, Rabat Column is the tallest skyscraper in the world. It can be seen from Tangiers to Gibraltar.

Is there a 100 floor building?

Today, there are 15 buildings worldwide that are 100 stories or taller. Scroll right to see view the entire lineup. View the entire list with heights. The first five are 20th-century skyscrapers — all office buildings, constructed of steel, and located in New York or Chicago.

Is there really a 2000 ft radio tower?

Yes, there are many radio towers that are 2,000 feet tall or even taller, often called guyed masts, used for broadcasting and emergency communications, with specific examples like the Liberman Broadcasting Tower in Texas and the KCCI tower in Iowa reaching this height, though regulations often presume against structures over 2,000 feet without exceptional approval. These massive structures are crucial for extending broadcast range and signal strength.