With the London Philharmonic providing the audio backdrop, lasers are to light up the night sky, beaming across town to touch several landmarks: the London Eye, the Gherkin, Tower Bridge.

WSJ: Shard Is London's Latest Excuse to Party, Whinge

Planning documents show the tower will be taller than the Gherkin which stands at 180m (590ft) and the company said it would provide more than 500, 000 sq ft (45, 000 sq m) of commercial space, of which WR Berkley would use 25%.

BBC: 'Scalpel' tower in London's Lime Street given go-ahead

Jutting out of London's skyline in all its futuristic glory, the "Gherkin" building has managed in the last few years to embed itself in the city's psyche as an icon, an edifice that just looked as cool as a cucumber.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The website also features a video interview with Mike Absalom, a singer-songwriter, poet and artist whose Save The Last Gherkin For Me (1968) was 001 in Peel's card index system.

BBC: John Peel's The Space online record collection goes live

"Even though you're being welcomed in, it sill feels a little bit naughty" said 29 year-old Londoner Becky Stevens, on her way to catch a glimpse from the top of the iconic "Gherkin" tower -- Norman Foster's elliptical skyscaper in London's financial district.

CNN: Thousands flock to London's Open House festival

Most of the floors on London's Gherkin building are now filled by the likes of Allianz AG and Cardinal Asset Management .

FORBES: Magazine Article

Mr. SCOTT GHERKIN: In the Lord's eyes, I think marriage is a man and a woman.

NPR: Virginia's Allen Hopes Gay Issue Helps Turnout

British architect Lord Norman Foster, who designed London's Gherkin tower and the dome on the Reichstag building in Berlin, described Niemeyer as an "inspiration" who "stood accepted wisdom on its head".

BBC: Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian architect, dies at 104