 Work in progress on the Swiss Re "Gherkin" Larger version |
There were plans to rebuild the Exchange to its former specification. These plans were controversially not followed up. On August 23, 2000, the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, granted planning permission[?] to build a much larger building on the site.
The new building due to be completed in 2004 was designed by Norman Foster Architects. Due to its unusual cone-like shape, designed so that wind will pass more easily round the building, it has been variously named 'the Gherkin', 'the Erotic Gherkin' and 'the Towering Innuendo'. The primary occupant of the building on completion will be Swiss Re[?] reinsurers[?].
See also: Tall buildings in London
External links
- Official homepage of the new building (http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/)
- History of the old Baltic Exchange building (http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/baltic.htm) Some information contained here and similar sites could usefully be integrated into this article