The Shard

Overview

The Shard, soaring above London, United Kingdom, is a striking symbol of modern architectural ambition. Often referred to as Shard London Bridge, and formerly known as London Bridge Tower, this vertical city is a mixed-use skyscraper that reshaped the city's skyline. Standing at an impressive height of 309.6 meters (1,016 feet), it was, for a period, the tallest building in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. Comprising 95 stories with 72 habitable floors, The Shard houses world-class offices, award-winning restaurants, a luxurious five-star hotel, exclusive residential apartments, and the UK's highest viewing gallery, known as 'The View from The Shard'. Its construction was completed in 2012, with its public observation deck opening its doors in February 2013, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the capital.

History & Cultural Background

The vision for The Shard began in 1998 when London-based entrepreneur Irvine Sellar sought to redevelop the outdated Southwark Towers site next to London Bridge Station. He approached the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano in Berlin in 2000. Piano's design drew inspiration from the railway lines adjacent to the site, the intricate spires of London's historic churches as depicted by 18th-century Venetian painter Canaletto, and the masts of grand sailing ships. Ironically, the building received its now-iconic name from a disparaging comment by English Heritage, who claimed the structure would be 'a shard of glass through the heart of historic London'. Piano, reportedly amused, adopted the name. Full construction commenced in March 2009, with the building being topped out on March 30, 2012, and officially inaugurated on July 5, 2012. The project had an estimated contract cost of £435 million and is predominantly owned by the State of Qatar (95%), in partnership with Sellar Property Group (5%).

What Makes It Special

The Shard's unique appeal lies in its innovative 'vertical city' concept, integrating diverse functionalities within a single, soaring structure. Its architectural design, characterized by an irregular pyramid shape and a facade clad with 11,000 glass panels, gives it a distinctive appearance. These angled panels reflect sunlight, allowing the building to seemingly change its color and blend with the sky, a deliberate effect achieved through the use of ultra-clear, low-iron glass. Renzo Piano designed the building with its corners open, allowing it to 'breathe' and adapt to the urban environment. A remarkable feat of engineering during its construction was the 'top-down' method, which allowed the first 23 stories to be built even before the basement was fully excavated, significantly saving time. Furthermore, The Shard stands out for its commitment to sustainability; approximately 95% of the materials used in its construction were recycled, and 20% of the steel came from recycled sources. Visitors ascend rapidly via high-speed lifts that travel at up to 6 meters per second. At its peak, the building hosts 'The View from The Shard', the highest viewing gallery in Western Europe, while the Shangri-La Hotel boasts the highest hotel swimming pool in the same region on its 52nd floor.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

• During its construction, a fox, affectionately nicknamed Romeo by the workers, was discovered living on the 72nd floor. It is believed to have survived on leftover food scraps before being safely rescued and relocated.
• The Shard's restrooms on its upper levels offer floor-to-ceiling windows, providing visitors with what are often dubbed London's 'most Instagrammable loos'.
• The building's foundations involved one of the longest continuous concrete castings in UK history, requiring hundreds of concrete mixer trucks over 36 hours.
• Like all tall structures, The Shard is designed to sway; it can move up to 300-400mm in exceptionally high winds, an intentional feature for structural stability.
• The building's name, 'The Shard', originated from a critical comment made by English Heritage during its planning stages, which the architect Renzo Piano embraced.
• The Shard was deliberately constructed atop London Bridge Station, one of London's busiest transport hubs, emphasizing its role as a key part of the city's regeneration and a 'vertical city' that minimizes reliance on private transportation.
• Interestingly, early sketches of The Shard were used to feature the building in the 2006 dystopian film 'Children of Men', years before its actual construction began.

Visitor Perspective

For many, visiting The Shard is synonymous with experiencing 'The View from The Shard', its public observation decks. These decks, located on levels 68, 69, and the open-air Skydeck on level 72, offer breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views that can stretch up to 40 miles on a clear day. Upon arrival, guests pass through airport-style security before taking high-speed lifts that transport them to the 68th floor in approximately 30 seconds. The viewing experience includes state-of-the-art 'tell:scopes' – interactive digital telescopes that allow visitors to zoom in on over 200 landmarks, switch between day and night views, and access information in multiple languages. There is no strict time limit once inside the viewing platforms, allowing visitors to enjoy the vistas at their leisure. While early mornings often provide clearer views with fewer crowds, sunset offers a magical transition from day to night, making it a popular, albeit busier, time to visit. Beyond the views, The Shard is home to several high-end restaurants like Aqua Shard, Oblix, and Hutong, along with bars and the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, providing diverse dining and accommodation options. The building is fully accessible to visitors, including those with disabilities, and service animals are welcome. However, visitors should note that large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside.