I cannot now imagine London without The Shard... it is arguably the greatest and most beautifully sky reaching building to be erected in London since St Paul’s Cathedral.SIR NORMAN ROSENTHAL
THE VISION
We set out to create more than a landmark. A spire rising 95 storeys above the Thames, The Shard is transformative placemaking at its best. It continues to set benchmarks for architecture and construction across the globe.
Our vision was ambitious in the extreme: a striking vertical city that could not only win over the hearts of the British public but change perceptions of what a sky-scraper could be; how it could function and what it could represent. Typically, skyscrapers were dedicated to residential or office use, but we wanted The Shard to be different: an entire community, with multiple areas that the public could interact with, and take in the building and its magnificent views.
It’s now a thriving community of intelligent living, working and experiential spaces, and is home to many diverse global businesses, the five-star Shangri-La Hotel, award-winning restaurants, luxury residences and a public viewing gallery.
This is my vision…. a vertical city for thousands of people to work in and enjoy, for millions to take to their heart.
RENZO PIANO
RENZO PIANO BUILDING WORKSHOP
THE APPROACH
Construction of such a tall building in the historic heart of the capital would need a new way of thinking. When the project began, no one in the UK had ever worked at this height before, and with a build timescale of 38 months, we worked with Renzo Piano and partners Mace and WSP to completely rethink the basic principles of construction in order to deliver the project.
Its highly innovative design means the tower doesn’t dominate, and instead blends with the sky: extra white glass on façades means the building’s colour and mood are constantly changing with the weather and seasons. Its slender pyramidal form is tuned to the mix of uses that the building contains: Offices on levels 4-28 directly connect to the London Bridge transport hub at ground level.
Above, three floors of internationally renowned restaurants and bars operate day through night. The five-star Shangri-La Hotel occupies the central section of the building with 202 guestrooms and suites, 3 signature dining venues and London’s highest hotel infinity pool. The Shard’s residences are located above the hotel, and the very top of the building is open to all, giving the public 40 mile views across London.
Above, three floors of internationally renowned restaurants and bars operate day through night. The five-star Shangri-La Hotel occupies the central section of the building with 202 guestrooms and suites, 3 signature dining venues and London’s highest hotel infinity pool. The Shard’s residences are located above the hotel, and the very top of the building is open to all, giving the public 40 mile views across London.
Above, three floors of internationally renowned restaurants and bars operate day through night. The five-star Shangri-La Hotel occupies the central section of the building with 202 guestrooms and suites, 3 signature dining venues and London’s highest hotel infinity pool. The Shard’s residences are located above the hotel, and the very top of the building is open to all, giving the public 40 mile views across London.