The Shard

The Shard

The Shard is a skyscraper located southwest of London Bridge Station in London, UK. Standing at 309.6 meters tall, it is the tallest building in the European Union and the second tallest in Europe (excluding TV towers).

The Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, who was also responsible for the design of the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The building itself and its surrounding structures cost approximately £1.5 billion. Construction began in September 2008, with the exterior completed on July 5, 2012, and it officially opened to tourists on February 1, 2013. The building has 95 floors, with 72 of them designated for office use, residential purposes, and sightseeing. It includes a five-star hotel, ten luxury apartments with individual prices around £50 million, three floors of restaurants, and three floors of viewing areas. On clear days, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of London and its surroundings spanning over 60 kilometers from the observation decks.

At 309.6 meters, it ranks among the tallest skyscrapers in Europe to date, resembling a glass pyramid that seems to rise suddenly from the earth. Every inch of its façade is covered with inwardly inclined glass panels that ascend layer by layer, giving it a crystal-clear appearance that becomes even more striking under nighttime laser lighting. Its prime location on the south bank of the River Thames in the heart of the city means it can be seen from almost any unobstructed viewpoint within London—truly a shard of a star fallen from the sky to Earth, as its name suggests.

The Shard

Reason to visit: Tallest building in the European Union

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Britain[Britain]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Greater London [Greater London]

City where the attraction is located: London [London]