Office Spaces in 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

The Gherkin operates as a vertical business district with 12 distinct office offerings spread across its iconic structure. Signature by Regus commands floors 28-29, delivering turnkey solutions from hot desks to 30-person suites. Below them, conventional Cat A+ floors range from Level 13's compact 4,951 square feet to Level 16's expansive 19,516 square feet.

The building's dual personality serves different business stages perfectly. Growing companies start with Signature's flexible terms, then graduate to full floors as they scale. The recent BMS Group pre-let of floors 22-25 demonstrates how major corporates use the building for consolidation plays. Each floor's circular geometry creates unique workspace dynamics, eliminating traditional corner offices in favour of democratic panoramic views. The WiredScore Platinum certification isn't just marketing - it represents genuine infrastructure resilience with dual power feeds and carrier diversity that City trading firms demand.

Office costs in the Gherkin follow three distinct models. Signature by Regus charges all-inclusive monthly rates: £529 for dedicated desks, £705 per person for private offices, £95 daily for hot-desking. These include everything from Wi-Fi to coffee, making budgeting straightforward.

Conventional Cat A+ floors quote £62.50-72.50 per square foot annually for base rent. Add service charges around £12 per square foot, business rates, and VAT. Level 27's managed option bridges both worlds at £188 per square foot all-inclusive, providing fitted space with shorter commitments. A 10,000 square foot floor therefore costs roughly £56,000 monthly base rent or £156,000 managed. Smart tenants negotiate caps on service charge increases and clarify what 'Cat A+' actually includes - the Gherkin's version features on-floor showers and smart analytics standard.

Liverpool Street Station's 5-minute walk connects the Gherkin to everywhere that matters. The Elizabeth line transformed accessibility, putting Heathrow 38 minutes away and Canary Wharf just 6. Fenchurch Street (3 minutes) serves Essex commuters, while Bank junction (6 minutes) adds Northern line access to south London.

The building's 378 cycle spaces reflect changing commute patterns, with many workers cycling from Hackney or Islington. The 42 basement parking spaces command premium rates and typically go to C-suite executives. During morning rush, the six lifts (three scenic, three high-speed) handle traffic efficiently, though 9am remains peak congestion. Most tenants stagger arrival times or encourage flexible working. The ground floor café becomes an informal co-working space from 7:30am as early arrivals grab coffee before heading up. Aldgate's emerging food scene means lunch options extend beyond the building's own offerings.

Level 16 stands out with 19,516 square feet accommodating up to 180 workstations - the largest currently marketed floor. Levels 19-21 offer similar 16,600-16,900 square foot plates perfect for 150-person operations. Level 26's 14,826 square feet suits more intimate 130-person headquarters setups.

Level 27 splits into two managed suites: 27A with 56 desks plus meeting rooms, 27B with 62 desks. Both include furniture, IT infrastructure, and kitchens at £188 per square foot all-inclusive. Signature by Regus on 28-29 provides maximum flexibility with offices from 323 to 807 square feet. Level 13 offers interesting options: 4,951 square feet available immediately, another 9,911 square feet coming Q4 2025. Each floor features independent fresh air systems, critical post-pandemic. The smart building analytics track everything from energy use to desk utilisation, providing data dashboards that modern companies expect.

Signature by Regus transformed floors 28-29 into London's most prestigious flexible workspace. Private offices from £705 per person monthly include ergonomic furniture, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, and access to the members' lounge. The dedicated desk option at £529 suits consultants needing consistent City presence without full office commitment.

Meeting rooms book from £85 hourly with video conferencing included. The real differentiator? Direct access to Searcys restaurant and bar above for client entertainment. Day office rates of £259 enable project teams to use Gherkin facilities without long-term commitment. Virtual office packages provide the EC3A 8BF address for £129 monthly. The concierge handles everything from courier services to restaurant reservations. Unlike traditional leases, Signature includes all utilities, cleaning, and maintenance in one monthly invoice. Teams scale up or down with 30 days notice, crucial for volatile markets.

The Gherkin's 100% renewable electricity supply increasingly matters for ESG reporting. WiredScore Platinum certification means genuine connectivity resilience - not just marketing speak. Each floor's smart analytics provide real-time occupancy data, enabling hybrid working optimisation.

Searcys operates three distinct venues across floors 39-40: the restaurant, bar, and private dining rooms bookable by tenants. The ground floor retail includes cafés, dry cleaning, and banking facilities. The 378 cycle spaces come with proper changing rooms and secure lockers, not token provision. On-floor showers on Cat A+ levels mean lunchtime runs actually work. The sun-responsive blinds automatically adjust to prevent glare without blocking views. Three scenic glass lifts offer spectacular ascents for visiting clients, while three high-speed lifts handle daily traffic. The building's iconic status means every delivery driver knows the address, simplifying logistics.

Beyond headline rents, Gherkin occupiers face service charges around £12 per square foot covering maintenance, security, and common areas. Business rates add roughly £25-30 per square foot annually. Fit-out costs for raw Cat A+ space range from £40-80 per square foot depending on specification.

Insurance premiums reflect the building's high-profile status - expect elevated rates. The managed suites on Level 27 at £188 per square foot include everything, making them surprisingly competitive against fitted-out conventional space. Dilapidations on lease expiry can sting unprepared tenants. Some floors require taking entire plates - no subdivisions allowed. After-hours air conditioning incurs additional charges on conventional leases. Parking spaces, if available, cost £5,000+ annually. Signature by Regus sidesteps these complexities with true all-inclusive pricing, explaining their popularity with international firms unfamiliar with UK property practices.

Choose Signature by Regus for teams under 30 needing flexibility and immediate occupation. Their £705 per person rate seems steep until you factor in zero capital expenditure and month-to-month flexibility after initial terms. The managed suites on Level 27 suit 50-60 person companies wanting impressive space without 5-year commitments.

Conventional Cat A+ floors work for established businesses planning 5+ year occupation. Level 16's 19,516 square feet could become a stunning 180-person headquarters at roughly £110,000 monthly base rent. The Level 14 sublease (available January 2026) offers middle ground - fitted space without long-term commitment. Consider proximity to clients: insurance and reinsurance firms cluster here for Lloyd's access. Tech companies might feel isolated from Shoreditch's ecosystem. The building's weekend restrictions don't suit 24/7 operations. Ultimately, you're paying for the address, the views, and the infrastructure that supports serious City business.

Start with Signature by Regus if you need space within weeks - they offer same-day tours and can execute agreements within 48 hours. For conventional floors, contact Zipcube to coordinate viewings across multiple levels efficiently. Visit during different times: morning for commute reality, lunch for amenity assessment, evening for sunset views that close deals.

Level 27's managed suites book viewings through specialist agents who understand the all-inclusive model. Bring your IT team to assess connectivity - the WiredScore Platinum rating deserves verification. Check mobile signal strength throughout the floor; the building's steel frame can create dead zones. Ask about exclusive-use terrace access for upper floors. Request occupancy data for surrounding floors to understand your neighbours. Compare identical floor plates at different heights - the views change dramatically above Level 20. Consider booking a day office through Signature to test the building before committing. Smart searchers view after rain to assess window cleaning schedules on this all-glass icon.

The building's 2025 dynamics shift when BMS Group occupies floors 22-25, solidifying its insurance sector credentials. The Elizabeth line's maturation continues driving accessibility improvements, with journey times still optimising. Climate-conscious occupiers appreciate the 100% renewable energy and BREEAM Excellent rating increasingly mandatory for corporate ESG policies.

Hybrid working makes the building's smart analytics valuable for space optimisation. The managed suite model on Level 27 might expand if demand continues. Signature by Regus regularly updates their offering - recent additions included podcast recording booths and wellness rooms. The surrounding Aldgate development brings new retail and dining, addressing previous amenity gaps. City of London's post-Brexit positioning affects demand; insurance and professional services remain strong while banking consolidates. The Gherkin's iconic status provides recession resilience - trophy assets retain appeal when generic offices struggle. Consider lease break options given economic uncertainty. The building's 2003 vintage means major refurbishments lie ahead, potentially affecting service charges.