The Gherkin – London Office Buzz

When it comes to working in the city, life is rarely dull. From the constantly busy atmosphere through to working locations, London’s business sector is an exciting place for workers of all ages to be. In recent years, more and more companies have begun using famous landmarks as their office buildings of choice. For those who work in them, going to work comes with the simple pleasure of sitting in a building with historic significance, day after day.

The Batman Building in Clerkenwell
Sat in the heart of Clerkenwell is a building known as ‘The Batman Building’. In addition to finding fame for its role in Gotham City, this mid-19th-century glass and leadworks outfit is owned by the Farmiloe family, which was the original family to commission it. In addition to featuring in Batman, it has been snapped up by the producers of Inception and Sherlock Holmes.

Although this Clerkenwell building has continued to be popular amongst movie directors, the owners have since chosen to turn it into offices, targeting multinational corporations like Amazon. While those working for everyday small and medium businesses might not get a look in, the lucky few who do work for multinational corporations in the area may find themselves travelling to Gotham City on a daily basis for their 9 to 5 job.

The Gherkin
To the rest of the UK the Gherkin is well-known for its role in the business world. When it comes to visitors, however, it is a towering landmark that they’ll forever associate with London’s skyline. As a commercial skyscraper that sits in the heart of London’s financial district, the Gherkin is home to hundreds of city workers, who spend most of their days and weeks toying with the financial market from within its glass walls.

For those who don’t work in the city, the Gherkin presents an excellent opportunity to grab a bite to eat. At the top there is a restaurant, which offers one of the city’s best panoramic views. Those who walk into to play with the stock market may benefit from its luxurious surroundings on a daily basis, but everyday people can enjoy the views without so many city stresses. Continue reading “Famous London Landmark Buildings Being Used as Offices” →

Buildings in London are often named after its design, such as The Shard in reference to its resemblance to shards of glass. Alternatively, many towers are named after their location or address to highlight a prestigious location such as One Canada Square. In some instances, office towers in London have been named after major tenants.

The innovative Lloyd’s Building is often referred to informally as the Inside-Out Building. The office tower is home to insurance firm Lloyd’s of London, which owns and lends its name to the building’s name. The Lloyd’s Building was constructed on the site of the East India House on Lime Street, which once served as the London headquarters of the East India Company. Completed in 1986, the modern structure was designed by Richard Rogers and features electrical power conduits, water pipes, staircases and lifts on the outside. It also integrates elements from the original Lloyd’s building, including an eighteenth century dining room and early nineteenth century entrance that were moved from the previous Leadenhall Street location. The Shell Centre on the South Bank of the River Thames is also named after its main tenant. Completed in 1961, the office tower was the first to exceed the height of the Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster. The building was commissioned by oil giant Shell, which commissioned its construction. Other buildings named after corporations include the Willis Building, which is named after its main occupant, the Willis Group. Located opposite the Lloyd’s Building on Lime Street and completed in 2008, the tower features an elegant stepped design resembling the shell of a crustacean. Continue reading “London Office Buildings Named After A Major Company” →