THE SHARD
Rising boldly above London’s historic skyline, The Shard is one of the most iconic modern landmarks in the world. Nicknamed “the glass tower”, it stands like a sparkling shard of glass piercing the clouds. With its sleek design, triangular shape, and dazzling reflective façade, The Shard beautifully blends futuristic architecture with the old charm of London.
A Marvel of Modern Architecture: Completed in 2012, The Shard was designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. Built primarily of glass, it has over 11,000 glass panels, giving it a shimmering, crystal-like appearance. Its striking design was inspired by church spires and ship masts—structures deeply connected to London’s history.
How Tall Is It?
The Shard stands at 310 metres (1,016 ft), making it the tallest building in the United Kingdom and one of the tallest in Europe. It has 95 storeys, though only 72 are habitable. From its viewing platforms, visitors can enjoy breathtaking 360° views stretching as far as 60 km on a clear day.
More Than Just a Building: The Shard is not just an architectural showpiece—it is a complete vertical city. Inside, it houses:
● Offices
● Luxury restaurants
● A 5-star hotel (Shangri-La)
● Residential apartments
● Retail areas
● The famous “View from The Shard” observation decks
This combination makes it a lively destination from morning till night.
Symbol of New London: The Shard stands as a symbol of modern, dynamic, global London. It brings together innovation, sustainability, and art, attracting millions of tourists every year. Its glass structure reflects the changing colours of the sky, making it look different at every hour of the day.
Do You Know?
● The Shard’s glass façade covers the area of eight football fields!
● It took 600 workers and 87 storeys of scaffolding to construct it.
● The top of The Shard is open to the sky—its glass fragments do not meet at a point.
