The Shard in Southwark, London, is the highest finished skyscraper in the UK and was the tallest in the European Union until the UK's withdrawal; it was completed in March 2012 at a height of 310 metres (1,020 ft), inaugurated in July 2012, and opened to the public in February 2013. The previous record holder was the Chrysler Building in New York City, which was completed in 1929 at a height of 297 m (974 ft).
The Shard is also one of the most expensive buildings in the world to construct. Its construction cost an estimated $750 million (£543 million).
It is made up of two interconnecting towers, with each one being more than 70 stories high. The upper tower is not as tall as the lower one, but has 72 floors instead of 70. Both towers are wrapped by a double skin of glass panels attached to the outside of the building with metal cables.
The building stands on the site of what was once the tallest structure in Europe. Built in 1847, St Paul's Cathedral was demolished in September 2008 after its dome collapsed due to extensive damage caused by years of rain and pollution.
St Paul's was considered a national monument so government bodies were able to share costs when financing its restoration. The total cost of the reconstruction project was estimated at £75 million ($107 million).
1. The Shard, London, 309.6 m (2012). Since 2012, it has held the distinction of tallest building in the United Kingdom. Its owner, the Indian company Shard Group, wants to make The Shard one of the world's leading observation decks.
2. The Liverpool Street Tower, London, 300 m (984 ft). Constructed for the London Underground, it was the first deep-level underground station to be built for another company than the one who built the tracks - the District Railway's owner. It opened in 1900, but was soon after replaced by a longer version of itself called the Northern Heights Railway Tower at 301 m (988 ft).
3. Pinnacle Square, Manchester, 290 m (963 ft). This office block was the first skyscraper to be built in Britain. It was completed in 1994 and holds 18 floors above its basement floor.
4. Millbank Tower, London, 280 m (943 ft). This telecommunications tower was built in 1975 for the British Telecom organization. In 2002, it was converted into an upscale hotel with offices.
5. Beetham Tower, Bolton, 275 m (926 ft). Construction on this office block began in 1993 and was completed in 1999.
The Shard is the highest structure in the United Kingdom and the seventh-tallest building in Europe, standing at 309.6 meters (1,016 ft). It is also the second-tallest free-standing building in the United Kingdom, after the Emley Moor transmitting station's concrete tower. The Shard was designed by British architect Renzo Piano who has also designed other skyscrapers such as the Pritzker Pavilion and the Vincent van Gogh Museum.
The building's name comes from an English translation of the Latin word "sharda", which means 'branch' or'spike'. This refers to the shape of the building when viewed from below its level of construction.
It is located on London Bridge Road near the South Bank of the River Thames within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The Shard cost $750 million to construct and is owned by Indian real estate company Reliance Standard Investments. It opened in 2012 and has been described as a "giant needle" and "a jewel in the crown of Britain's high street for tourists".
After opening, the Shard was the most expensive restaurant in the world with prices ranging between $300 and $40,000 per person. However, it closed down in February 2016 due to poor sales.
Now, it is one of the most famous restaurants in London again thanks to its recent listing on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
The Shard is the highest structure in the United Kingdom, standing at 309.6m at its tallest point. It is also one of the most expensive buildings in the world to construct. Completed in 2012, the Shard contains 732 apartments, a 24-floor office tower, and a 3-floor restaurant called The View from The Shard.
The building is located on London's South Bank, across the River Thames from Westminster. It is within walking distance of several major tourist attractions including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Tate Modern gallery.
It is owned by Indian real estate company DLF Limited and was built as their flagship project. The Shard has been named after the famous "shard" window which forms part of the entrance facade. This is actually made up of 25 smaller windows that measure 4.5 metres wide by 1.5 metres high.
The Shard uses much of its volume below ground to reduce its impact on the surrounding area. There are three levels of parking spaces, with an additional two levels available for purchase. These can be accessed by going down into the river or via bridges located near the base of the building.
Did you know? The Shard has become a popular location for photos.
The 2000s witnessed a surge in skyscraper construction, primarily in the City of London and Canary Wharf. However, The Shard at London Bridge has been the tallest skyscraper in London since 2010, reaching 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) in 2012. There are currently no plans to construct another such tower.
The City of London is an area of central London located between the River Thames to the east and Ludgate Hill to the west. It is surrounded by the A12 road to the north, Bishopsgate to the south, and Fleet Street to the southwest. The City was once home to major financial institutions including the Bank of England and the East India Company, but this industry has now moved out and instead there are over 50 small businesses that trade only in gold. The skyline of the city features some impressive buildings with several that reach 300 meters or more.
Canary Wharf is a business district and waterfront area in the southern part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London. It is best known for its collection of high-rise offices and residential towers and has become one of the world's leading centres for financial services, including banking, insurance, and trading.
After the fall of the Wall, many people moved into the City of London and took advantage of its excellent location to set up shop. This led to the development of new neighbourhoods such as Farringdon which have transformed the face of the city.
However, since 2010, the highest building in London has been The Shard at London Bridge, which reached a height of 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) in 2012.
| Name | 30 St Mary Axe |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Primary use | Office |
| Location | City of London |
| Notes | Formerly known as the Swiss Re Building. Nicknamed “The Gherkin”. |
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