70 St Mary Axe

70 St Mary Axe is a modern office building in London's financial district featuring a distinctive semi-elliptical shape. The 90-meter-tall structure has a curved glass facade with bronze-toned aluminum fins that extend up its sides and over the top.

The building was completed in 2019 and joins a series of modern architectural developments that have transformed London's financial core. It stands near 30 St Mary Axe, adding to the evolving character of the district.

The building earned the playful nickname 'Can of Ham' among Londoners, who noticed its resemblance to traditional English tinned meat containers. This humorous comparison shows how locals have made sense of the modern tower in their own way.

You can view the building from outside along the surrounding streets in the City of London and enjoy its striking design from different angles. The nearby sidewalks offer multiple vantage points to appreciate the curved facade and see the aluminum details up close.

The semi-elliptical arched design keeps the building footprint small at street level while the office floors above remain standard rectangular shapes. This clever approach shows how modern buildings can balance visual interest with practical efficiency.

Location: City of London

Inception: 2019

Architects: Foggo Associates

Architectural style: neo-futurism

Floors above the ground: 21

Floors below the ground: 2

Elevators: 14

Height: 90 m

Made from material: steel, glass, aluminium, concrete

Address: 70 St Mary Axe, EC3

Website: https://70stma.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.51536,-0.07933

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:59