At a glance

Type

Mixed-use skyscraper

Period

Construction 2009–2012; opened July 2012

Style

Contemporary / High-tech

Location

32 London Bridge Street, London SE1, United Kingdom

Architect

Renzo Piano (Renzo Piano Building Workshop)

Height

309.6 m (1,016 ft), 95 floors

Coordinates

51.5044° N, 0.0866° W

Overview

The Shard takes its name from the shard-like shards of glass that form its facade, a design concept Renzo Piano developed in response to the context of London Bridge and the Thames. At 309.6 metres, it remains the tallest building in the United Kingdom and is a prominent feature of the London skyline when viewed from numerous vantage points across the city. The tower contains 72 habitable floors used for offices (floors 2–28), restaurants (31–33), the Shangri-La Hotel (34–52), exclusive residences (53–65), and the public viewing gallery (68–72).

History

The project was initiated by developer Sellar Property Group in partnership with the State of Qatar, which became the majority investor. Renzo Piano was appointed as architect after presenting his concept sketch — inspired by railway spires visible from the site and the masts of the tall ships that once moored on the Thames. Planning permission was granted in 2003 following a public inquiry, and construction began in March 2009. The building was topped out in April 2012 and formally opened to the public in February 2013, with the observation deck welcoming visitors from that point onwards.

What you see

The Shard’s silhouette tapers asymmetrically toward its apex, with the upper floors progressively stepping back to create a fractured, shard-like profile of intersecting glass planes. The facade consists of 11,000 panes of glass, and the building’s appearance changes dramatically with the light and weather — reflecting sky, cloud, and the city around it. The upper floors are intentionally left unclad, so that wind and mist pass through the spire, blurring the boundary between building and sky. From the observation deck on floors 68–72, visitors can see up to 64 kilometres across the city on a clear day.

Cultural significance

The Shard marked a transformation of the South Bank from an industrial and transport quarter into one of London’s most dynamic mixed-use urban zones, catalysing further regeneration around London Bridge. It has become one of the defining symbols of twenty-first-century London and a subject of ongoing discussion about the relationship between contemporary landmark architecture and historic urban context in one of Europe’s most visited cities.

Practical information

Address

32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG, United Kingdom

Observation deck

The View from The Shard: floors 68–72; booking recommended

Hours

Check the official website: theviewfromtheshard.com

Admission

Paid entry for The View from The Shard; varies by time and season

Getting there

The Shard is directly adjacent to London Bridge station, served by National Rail and London Underground (Jubilee and Northern lines). It is a two-minute walk from the station exits. Bus routes 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381, and RV1 serve the area. Borough Market and the Thames riverside are within easy walking distance.

Sources & resources

• Wikipedia: The Shard
• Official website: theviewfromtheshard.com
• Cultural Heritage Online: culturalheritageonline.com