The Best Serviced Office Space In London

As the economic climate begins to bite, we find that the price of both commercial property and rented offices, is either stable or dropping. It is particularly noticeable in rented office space, that landlords are offering great deals for those willing to move and sign some form of medium to long term contract.

So, if you are currently in some seedy dive of a serviced office, that you signed for at the height of the boom, it is definitely time to move. As, let’s face it, it is much more motivating to come to work in a place like, ‘The Gherkin’, than some windowless basement.

The 6th tallest skyscraper in London, 30th St Mary Axe, better known as the Gherkin (due to its phallic shape), was completed in 2004. Following the destruction of the Baltic Exchange Building, after an IRA bombing in 1992.

During the construction of the building, the grave of a teenage Roman girl was uncovered. The grave was reinserted in its original place at the base, on completion of the tower.

Most of the floor space is rented as serviced office space, by various companies. Including the Swiss company (Swiss Reinsurance), who were one of the instigators of the idea of the building.

A symbol of the new high-rise boom in London, the Gherkin is without a doubt, one of the most innovative and aesthetically pleasing, architectural gems, on the planet.

Voted most admired building of the year 2005, the Gherkin is at the height of ecological design.

The building was designed in such a way, as to consume half the energy a building of its size usually would. This was achieved mainly due to natural ventilation and heating convection systems between each floor and passive solar energy. Also, the amount of natural light the glass panes allow in cuts down the need for lighting, thus reducing energy by half.

The 40 storey tower, is clad in titanium and 35 km of steel. The surface is made up of 24,000 sqft of glass (equivalent to 5 football pitches). This is nothing short of stunning, its unusual curves make it instantly recognisable among the London skyline and the Gherkin is a typical example of Norman Foster’s more curvaceous designs. Although, even though the building looks curved, the only part of the glass that is actually curved is right at the top.

At the foot of the building is The Arcadia Gardens, which are open to the public to enjoy. On the 39^th floor, there is a restaurant and bar open to the residents of the building, as well as for private, exterior functions. The function suite, boasts some of the most stupefying views of London, so keep your eyes peeled for events happening in the tower.

If however, you have missed your invitation, you can still admire the giant gherkin-shaped building from almost anywhere in the capital, right up to the M11.

The only problem is, at the Gherkin you can never aspire to have the ultimate commercial property perk, the corner office.